ASYLUM FROM RAPE
70% of women seeking asylum in the UK have suffered rape and other sexual violence. But women needing safety for themselves and their children face the same brutal lack of care and injustice as women who are raped in the UK. Despite national and international legal precedents recognising gender-based persecution, rape victims still face horrific obstacles in claiming protection for example instead of getting help to overcome, the difficulties they face in speaking about their experiences, these difficulties are used to disbelieve and dismiss their accounts. We found 88% of women are disbelieved by the Home Office. Legal aid cuts have compounded the injustice they face, denying them representation at hearings and expert reports which could corroborate their claims. See our research documenting this.
Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa Family Reunion Appeal Hearing Thanks to all who came to support Brigitte Nongo-Wa-Kitwa’s case to be reunited with her children. The vigil outside court garnered interest and support from passersby and people entering the court building. Over 15 women then went inside to listen to court proceedings, and although there weren’t enough seats …
Ms R (62), a longstanding member of All African Women’s Group, finally won her right to stay in the UK after a 13 year struggle. Ms R left Jamaica in 1990 to escape domestic violence from her partner . . .
Women Speak About Destitution: Read testimonies of the real impact of cruel government policy The British government’s deliberate policy of destitution forces asylum-seeking women into extremely precarious and often dangerous living situations; exposing them to exploitation and violence. Here, women speak about their experiences of destitution in the UK. Melissa I’ve been destitute, when I was …
Rape & Sexual Abuse in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre Rape & Sexual Abuse in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre Our report chronicles a regime of predatory sexual abuse (including racist sexual abuse) since it opened and began accepting women and families in 2002. It brings together the many allegations that have been reported to …
Thanks to the 100s of people who wrote in support of Ms Mwesigwa, a victim of multiple rape by soldiers in Uganda, targeted because her husband, a prominent local politician, was suspected of opposing the President. Last Friday Ms Mwesigwa stopped her removal by refusing to go with the Yarl’s Wood guards when they came to take her to the airport. But the guards warned her that “next time” she would be physically forced onto the plane back to Uganda.
We, the All African Women’s Group, send thanks from the bottom of our hearts for all the support you gave to our precious sister Erioth Mwesigwa. Erioth is a 58-year-old woman from Uganda who suffered multiple rape by soldiers in Uganda. She was persecuted because her husband was suspected of opposing the President. Her husband, …
Briefing against the 2015 Immigration Bill Opposition to the Immigration Bill continues to grow. In February, Lord Ramsbotham called for the bill to be withdrawn or suspended to allow proper consideration of a government commissioned report. The Shaw Report made recommendations: a limit on detention; an end to the detention of pregnant women; that there be …
Evidence to Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women We believe the UK government is flouting its obligations under CEDAW, and future obligations under the Istanbul Convention in relation to Violence Against Women. 1. Refusal to prosecute rapists including violent partners “In the 12 months to March 2013 there were about 10,000 recorded …
We are here because . . . . . . is an inspiring and moving collection of online video and other testimonies, filmed, recorded, edited and produced by Black/women of colour, – many are are active members of All African Women’s Group a self-help group of women asylum seekers. Together with volunteers all the testimonies were …
Landmark compensation for torture victim and her family. A mother and her five children have won a precedent-setting, six figure compensation award from the Home Office for abuse and injuries sustained during deportation to Uganda in 2006. Ms A was supported throughout by WAR who found legal representation through Leigh Day & Co. solicitors. During …
