Seeking Safety:
Hotel Resident's Campaign for Justice
Hotel Resident's Campaign for Justice
Shay Family Campaign, Public Meeting: 6.30, Thursday 7th September, Friends Meeting House, Manchester M2 5NS.
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you to ask for your support for an important campaign in support of the right of refugees and migrants to be welcomed into the UK and treated with dignity and respect.
Shay Babagar, his wife and their child arrived in the UK seeking asylum as members of the persecuted Balochi people. They were placed in a SERCO run hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester where they experienced poor living conditions and physical and verbal abuse at the hands of SERCO staff. Shay went on hunger strike and challenged his treatment. A campaign grew around him and his family, and he has now been moved to a house. Additionally Greater Manchester Police, who had attempted to charge and criminalise Shay, have dropped their case against him.
Shay is continuing his fight for justice, and for the right of his family to stay in this country and feel safe here. He also wants to share his experiences of resisting the treatment meted out to him and his family. You can read more about his struggles and victories on this campaign page and in these articles from the Manchester Evening News here and here. On Thursday 7th September there will be a Public Meeting where Shay and others will speak. We hope to highlight the ways in which the Government’s treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum violates their human rights, to expose the conditions in asylum hotels in Greater Manchester, and to encourage others to actively resist.
As you will be aware, the Government intend their scapegoating of refugees and people seeking asylum to divert attention and blame away from their policies that are driving down the living standards of all of us. Trade Unions and sections of civil society have proud traditions of standing against racism and supporting those who are the survivors and victims of it. We very much hope you will support this campaign, and attach a model motion that you might like to use or adapt in order to support the Public Meeting on 7th September. If you decide to donate towards the cost of the Public Meeting, please make payment to:
RAPAR Treasurers Account (Ref: Shay Family Campaign), Acc. No 10090286, Sort Code 16-28-24
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or phone me on 07776264646
Yours in Solidarity,
Dr Rhetta Moran, RAPAR Member
See more about the campaign here.
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you to ask for your support for an important campaign in support of the right of refugees and migrants to be welcomed into the UK and treated with dignity and respect.
Shay Babagar, his wife and their child arrived in the UK seeking asylum as members of the persecuted Balochi people. They were placed in a SERCO run hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester where they experienced poor living conditions and physical and verbal abuse at the hands of SERCO staff. Shay went on hunger strike and challenged his treatment. A campaign grew around him and his family, and he has now been moved to a house. Additionally Greater Manchester Police, who had attempted to charge and criminalise Shay, have dropped their case against him.
Shay is continuing his fight for justice, and for the right of his family to stay in this country and feel safe here. He also wants to share his experiences of resisting the treatment meted out to him and his family. You can read more about his struggles and victories on this campaign page and in these articles from the Manchester Evening News here and here. On Thursday 7th September there will be a Public Meeting where Shay and others will speak. We hope to highlight the ways in which the Government’s treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum violates their human rights, to expose the conditions in asylum hotels in Greater Manchester, and to encourage others to actively resist.
As you will be aware, the Government intend their scapegoating of refugees and people seeking asylum to divert attention and blame away from their policies that are driving down the living standards of all of us. Trade Unions and sections of civil society have proud traditions of standing against racism and supporting those who are the survivors and victims of it. We very much hope you will support this campaign, and attach a model motion that you might like to use or adapt in order to support the Public Meeting on 7th September. If you decide to donate towards the cost of the Public Meeting, please make payment to:
RAPAR Treasurers Account (Ref: Shay Family Campaign), Acc. No 10090286, Sort Code 16-28-24
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or phone me on 07776264646
Yours in Solidarity,
Dr Rhetta Moran, RAPAR Member
See more about the campaign here.
SHAY'S FAMILY CAMPAIGN
We stand before you today, continuing our campaign to stop the inhuman and degrading treatment, underpinned by racism and xenophobia, that has happened to us and other people inside Serco-run hotels. We stand with you today, to go forward together to stop what happened outside the hotel [in Knowsley] last Friday night. |
This page collates all RAPAR's updates about the campaign led by a former Serco 'contingency hotel' resident who undertook a 35-day hunger strike to protest against the 'inhuman and degrading' conditions in one of Greater Manchester's Serco-run asylum hotels. Click on the tabs below to see the latest news on the campaign, RAPAR's press releases, media coverage of the campaign , and how you can help. Please support our campaign crowdfunder here. See 'how to help' tab below for more detail. |
[LATEST NEWS ON THE CAMPAIGN]
MEN piece about Babagar's family’s hotel conditions
Please see below for the beginning of the latest Manchester Evening News (MEN) report about the Babagar's family’s hotel conditions and their forthcoming criminal defence case. Just this week (w/c 15th of May), the family have been informed by Serco that on next Monday, the 22nd of May, they will be moved out of the Rochdale Hotel that features in the MEN story and into dispersed accommodation. This new accommodation needs to be within striking distance of their child’s school. Since last September, this school has been the one constant security in this young person’s life. At this point, the continuity of the child's education is extremely important for their mental health and for the wellbeing of the family as a whole.
Homeless family who moved hotels after alleged assault say new accommodation has 'unbearable smell' as insects filmed crawling around beds (Manchester Evening News) (published on 16th of May):
An asylum seeker who went on hunger strike after allegations that he was assaulted at a Stockport hotel where his family was housed has been moved. However, arriving at the new accommodation in Rochdale on Friday (May 5), Shay Babagar, his wife and daughter claimed to have found insects crawling around their bed. They are allegations which are denied by Serco, who managed the hotel.
Video footage taken by the family appears to show two bugs on the bed while Shay's wife - who wishes not to be named - speaks of seeing mosquitoes. Serco, which runs both hotels, claims that the family has not reported finding insects on the bed to staff on site or through independent complaints routes.
The company, which runs asylum accommodation across the North West, denied the allegation claiming staff checked the room when it was approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The team said no evidence of insects was identified.
Read the rest of the MEN piece here, and see RAPAR's press release about latest developments here.
Homeless family who moved hotels after alleged assault say new accommodation has 'unbearable smell' as insects filmed crawling around beds (Manchester Evening News) (published on 16th of May):
An asylum seeker who went on hunger strike after allegations that he was assaulted at a Stockport hotel where his family was housed has been moved. However, arriving at the new accommodation in Rochdale on Friday (May 5), Shay Babagar, his wife and daughter claimed to have found insects crawling around their bed. They are allegations which are denied by Serco, who managed the hotel.
Video footage taken by the family appears to show two bugs on the bed while Shay's wife - who wishes not to be named - speaks of seeing mosquitoes. Serco, which runs both hotels, claims that the family has not reported finding insects on the bed to staff on site or through independent complaints routes.
The company, which runs asylum accommodation across the North West, denied the allegation claiming staff checked the room when it was approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The team said no evidence of insects was identified.
Read the rest of the MEN piece here, and see RAPAR's press release about latest developments here.
Home Office's failure to house Shay's family safely reported in MEN
On the 12th of April, the MEN (Manchester Evening News) reported the UK Home Office's failure to safely house Shay Babagar and his family.
The MEN describes the abuse and inhumane conditions that Shay's family experienced in a Serco-run hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester and their difficulties in securing safe accommodation through the Home Office. The Home Office has a statutory responsibility to house people seeking asylum. At the moment, the Home Office has contracted several private companies in England to provide accommodation in 'contingency hotels'. Shay went on hunger strike in November to highlight the conditions that people seeking asylum faced at hotels. Allegations of assault at the hotel where Shay's family were housed were reported to the police while he was in hospital, while RAPAR has for many months been challenging the conditions in these hotels in Manchester following several 'resident' reports of abuse and substandard living conditions. (See here and here.)
The MEN reports:
A refugee father and his family have been left 'homeless' following allegations he was assaulted at a hotel housing asylum seekers. Shay Babagar, his wife and daughter have been sofa surfing since leaving the hotel in November. The family refuse to return to an asylum seeker hotel. Protesters stormed Stockport council offices on Tuesday (April 11), demanding the family is housed immediately. The local authority says it is bound by laws requiring the Home Office provides asylum seekers accommodation.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Migrant Help UK offered new accommodation for the family in Liverpool following the protest with help from the Home Office and Stockport council staff. But campaigners say the family was taken to a hotel in Manchester, which they refused to enter.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "As required by law, we provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with free, fully furnished accommodation, three meals a day and a weekly allowance. This applies from their point of arrival in the UK. We do not comment on individual cases."
See RAPAR's full news piece here.
The MEN describes the abuse and inhumane conditions that Shay's family experienced in a Serco-run hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester and their difficulties in securing safe accommodation through the Home Office. The Home Office has a statutory responsibility to house people seeking asylum. At the moment, the Home Office has contracted several private companies in England to provide accommodation in 'contingency hotels'. Shay went on hunger strike in November to highlight the conditions that people seeking asylum faced at hotels. Allegations of assault at the hotel where Shay's family were housed were reported to the police while he was in hospital, while RAPAR has for many months been challenging the conditions in these hotels in Manchester following several 'resident' reports of abuse and substandard living conditions. (See here and here.)
The MEN reports:
A refugee father and his family have been left 'homeless' following allegations he was assaulted at a hotel housing asylum seekers. Shay Babagar, his wife and daughter have been sofa surfing since leaving the hotel in November. The family refuse to return to an asylum seeker hotel. Protesters stormed Stockport council offices on Tuesday (April 11), demanding the family is housed immediately. The local authority says it is bound by laws requiring the Home Office provides asylum seekers accommodation.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Migrant Help UK offered new accommodation for the family in Liverpool following the protest with help from the Home Office and Stockport council staff. But campaigners say the family was taken to a hotel in Manchester, which they refused to enter.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "As required by law, we provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with free, fully furnished accommodation, three meals a day and a weekly allowance. This applies from their point of arrival in the UK. We do not comment on individual cases."
See RAPAR's full news piece here.
Crucial report from RAPAR's partner organisation, Migrant Voice
Migrant Voice, a London-based charity organisation working with migrants and undocumented people, and RAPAR's partner organisation, released a report at the end of April that set out, in detail, utilising the testimonies of 170 'residents', the inhumane conditions inside Home Office 'continency hotels'. The report was featured in the Guardian newspaper on the 22nd of April:
Asylum seekers have been forced to live for a year in windowless rooms smaller than prison cells, served food so dire it is blamed for causing diabetes, and have spent days in their underwear because they only have one change of clothes.
These are the shocking conditions laid bare this weekend in a comprehensive report from the charity Migrant Voice, which took testimony from 170 asylum seekers staying in London hotels that are supposed to serve as short-term accommodation.
The charity has chronicled repeated accounts of overcrowding, “filthy rooms”, abusive and obstructive staff and “dangerously erratic” healthcare.
The report from Migrant Voice echoes and confirms RAPAR's ongoing concerns about and challenges to conditions in asylum hotels. Speaking with the Guardian, Dr Rhetta Moran from RAPAR said: “People are not only dissuaded from registering complaints, they are also threatened that notes will be put on to their asylum applications with the Home Office if they register complaints.”
Migrant Voice's and RAPAR's work to challenge conditions and treatment in Serco-run hotels, and hotels run by other private companies, continues. The Guardian's piece ends with a response from a Home Office spokesperson claiming safety (and safe-guarding) and high standards in hotels (claims that RAPAR has consistently disproven).
See full piece on RAPAR's news updates here.
Asylum seekers have been forced to live for a year in windowless rooms smaller than prison cells, served food so dire it is blamed for causing diabetes, and have spent days in their underwear because they only have one change of clothes.
These are the shocking conditions laid bare this weekend in a comprehensive report from the charity Migrant Voice, which took testimony from 170 asylum seekers staying in London hotels that are supposed to serve as short-term accommodation.
The charity has chronicled repeated accounts of overcrowding, “filthy rooms”, abusive and obstructive staff and “dangerously erratic” healthcare.
The report from Migrant Voice echoes and confirms RAPAR's ongoing concerns about and challenges to conditions in asylum hotels. Speaking with the Guardian, Dr Rhetta Moran from RAPAR said: “People are not only dissuaded from registering complaints, they are also threatened that notes will be put on to their asylum applications with the Home Office if they register complaints.”
Migrant Voice's and RAPAR's work to challenge conditions and treatment in Serco-run hotels, and hotels run by other private companies, continues. The Guardian's piece ends with a response from a Home Office spokesperson claiming safety (and safe-guarding) and high standards in hotels (claims that RAPAR has consistently disproven).
See full piece on RAPAR's news updates here.
Further update on Shay's family's accommodation - 08/04/23
EMERGENCY: FAMILY OF THREE LIVING ON £18 PER WEEK NEED SHELTER
Please join them at 10am on Tuesday 11th April 2023 Stockport Social Services Offices, Stopford House, Piccadilly, STOCKPORT, SK1 3XE (directions)
Shay began his hunger strike in early November 2022 to highlight human rights violations in hotels and, alongside his wife, to protect their child from exposure to further abusive behaviours. (See Seeking Safety, Looking for Justice) Since that time the family have been sofa surfing. Being in receipt of only £18 per week from the State, they have faced continuous demands from the Home Office that they return to a hotel - A SITE OF REPORTED ASSAULT AND ABUSE - alongside being accused of making themselves intentionally homeless. If your landlord is abusing you on a daily basis and you leave your accommodation, you are not intending to be homeless!
The Home Office have until 12 noon on Tuesday 11th April to rectify these failures Stockport Social Services is where the family will be waiting from 10am. Please come to join them and show your support.
See more details here please (and click on the downward arrow on your screen to download a copy of the leaflet).
Please join them at 10am on Tuesday 11th April 2023 Stockport Social Services Offices, Stopford House, Piccadilly, STOCKPORT, SK1 3XE (directions)
Shay began his hunger strike in early November 2022 to highlight human rights violations in hotels and, alongside his wife, to protect their child from exposure to further abusive behaviours. (See Seeking Safety, Looking for Justice) Since that time the family have been sofa surfing. Being in receipt of only £18 per week from the State, they have faced continuous demands from the Home Office that they return to a hotel - A SITE OF REPORTED ASSAULT AND ABUSE - alongside being accused of making themselves intentionally homeless. If your landlord is abusing you on a daily basis and you leave your accommodation, you are not intending to be homeless!
The Home Office have until 12 noon on Tuesday 11th April to rectify these failures Stockport Social Services is where the family will be waiting from 10am. Please come to join them and show your support.
See more details here please (and click on the downward arrow on your screen to download a copy of the leaflet).
VERY URGENT UPDATE ON SHAY'S FAMILY ACCOMODATION - 29/03/23
Tomorrow (30/03/23) is the deadline for the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office), Serco and Migrant Help to respond to the lawyers representing the family at the centre of Shay's Family campaign, exposing SERCO and its human rights violations in the hotel in Stockport. The pre-action protocol letter sent to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Serco and Migrant Help has put down a public law challenge to the suitability of accommodation and makes an urgent request for the family to be allocated dispersal accommodation.
Simultaneously, the family's current hosts in Stockport cannot continue to offer temporary accomodation beyond tomorrow (30/03/23). Please read the email below sent first thing today to Stockport Social Services. There has been no response yet.
280323 email sent to Stockport Social Services from Steve Anderson, RAPAR Trustee and Social Work Lead:
In November 2022, Stockport Children’s Service was approached about Shay [his wife and his child]. A Section 17 report under the Children Act 1989 was produced as a consequence but had several factual errors. An amended report has not, to my knowledge, been produced. It would be helpful to have the s17 report in amended and updated form.
Since late last year the family have been living with volunteer families but this situation will come to an end on the 30th March 2023 from which time the family will have nowhere to live.
The family is unable to return to SERCO provided contingency accommodation due to various Safeguarding matters arising from living in a Stockport based contingency hotel which are subject to investigation by SERCO and the police in respect of how the family was treated whilst in, and after leaving, the SERCO accommodation. It is important to note and remember that Shay went on hunger strike for thirty five days as this was the only form of protest he could make in respect of the SERCO accommodation and the treatment they and others received there.
Currently, the matter and manner of Shay and [his wife's] physical removal from hospital on November 22nd 2022, when it was deemed they were medically fit and the police subsequently charged Shay and [his wife] is scheduled for a further case management meeting before a district judge in Manchester in late April. Alongside the actions of Shay and [his wife], Police, Serco and hospital actions, including questions about whether, when and how any complaints about their treatment were actually investigated by any involved party are germane. It may be that Stockport Children’s Service will have to account for their actions in pursuance of any Safeguarding allegations in respect of [the child] and [the child's] parents when, eventually, on eviction from hospital and after being charged, they were left homeless in sub-zero temperatures in the middle of the night, only finding very temporary relief by sitting in the warm waiting area of a Manchester Hospital where the ambulance service took them.
May it be time to revisit previous decisions and provide adequate accommodation for this family?
In addition to this criminal defence case, a parliamentary and health ombudsman complaint and a pre action protocol about their accommodation needs are in the pipeline. As of now though, the family will be homeless from 30th March 2023 and alternative accommodation of a voluntary nature has yet not been forthcoming. May I suggest that Stockport Social Services at least provide accommodation for [the child] and [the] mother that begins on 30th March which is within travel distance of [the child's] school as this is a very important and stable factor in [their] life. [They] also need to be in the care of [their] parents and not be received “into care” due to family homelessness as the family is quite prepared to live in a tent. They cannot for a multiplicity of reasons return to “contingency accommodation”, the reasons for which are well documented and subject to further scrutiny in the future, as referenced above.
To conclude, would Stockport Social Services be prepared to provide this family with appropriate accommodation from 30th March which allows them to live together and make it possible for 11-year-old [name redacted] to continue attending school in Stockport.
I also suggest that should the local authority make such provision that this would deflect from possible scrutiny in Shay and [his wife's] forthcoming trial, and any Judicial Review should this be necessary as Stockport local authority, without precedent, would be stepping in to Safeguarding [the child] when exhaustively all other options have failed or are currently untenable.
- Steve Anderson RAPAR Trustee. Social Work and Social Work training.
___________________
As of now (20:00, 29/03/23), no accommodation has been made available beyond tomorrow. Can you help? Please contact us on [email protected] or ring 07776264646 (Dr Rhetta Moran). Thank you.
Simultaneously, the family's current hosts in Stockport cannot continue to offer temporary accomodation beyond tomorrow (30/03/23). Please read the email below sent first thing today to Stockport Social Services. There has been no response yet.
280323 email sent to Stockport Social Services from Steve Anderson, RAPAR Trustee and Social Work Lead:
In November 2022, Stockport Children’s Service was approached about Shay [his wife and his child]. A Section 17 report under the Children Act 1989 was produced as a consequence but had several factual errors. An amended report has not, to my knowledge, been produced. It would be helpful to have the s17 report in amended and updated form.
Since late last year the family have been living with volunteer families but this situation will come to an end on the 30th March 2023 from which time the family will have nowhere to live.
The family is unable to return to SERCO provided contingency accommodation due to various Safeguarding matters arising from living in a Stockport based contingency hotel which are subject to investigation by SERCO and the police in respect of how the family was treated whilst in, and after leaving, the SERCO accommodation. It is important to note and remember that Shay went on hunger strike for thirty five days as this was the only form of protest he could make in respect of the SERCO accommodation and the treatment they and others received there.
Currently, the matter and manner of Shay and [his wife's] physical removal from hospital on November 22nd 2022, when it was deemed they were medically fit and the police subsequently charged Shay and [his wife] is scheduled for a further case management meeting before a district judge in Manchester in late April. Alongside the actions of Shay and [his wife], Police, Serco and hospital actions, including questions about whether, when and how any complaints about their treatment were actually investigated by any involved party are germane. It may be that Stockport Children’s Service will have to account for their actions in pursuance of any Safeguarding allegations in respect of [the child] and [the child's] parents when, eventually, on eviction from hospital and after being charged, they were left homeless in sub-zero temperatures in the middle of the night, only finding very temporary relief by sitting in the warm waiting area of a Manchester Hospital where the ambulance service took them.
May it be time to revisit previous decisions and provide adequate accommodation for this family?
In addition to this criminal defence case, a parliamentary and health ombudsman complaint and a pre action protocol about their accommodation needs are in the pipeline. As of now though, the family will be homeless from 30th March 2023 and alternative accommodation of a voluntary nature has yet not been forthcoming. May I suggest that Stockport Social Services at least provide accommodation for [the child] and [the] mother that begins on 30th March which is within travel distance of [the child's] school as this is a very important and stable factor in [their] life. [They] also need to be in the care of [their] parents and not be received “into care” due to family homelessness as the family is quite prepared to live in a tent. They cannot for a multiplicity of reasons return to “contingency accommodation”, the reasons for which are well documented and subject to further scrutiny in the future, as referenced above.
To conclude, would Stockport Social Services be prepared to provide this family with appropriate accommodation from 30th March which allows them to live together and make it possible for 11-year-old [name redacted] to continue attending school in Stockport.
I also suggest that should the local authority make such provision that this would deflect from possible scrutiny in Shay and [his wife's] forthcoming trial, and any Judicial Review should this be necessary as Stockport local authority, without precedent, would be stepping in to Safeguarding [the child] when exhaustively all other options have failed or are currently untenable.
- Steve Anderson RAPAR Trustee. Social Work and Social Work training.
___________________
As of now (20:00, 29/03/23), no accommodation has been made available beyond tomorrow. Can you help? Please contact us on [email protected] or ring 07776264646 (Dr Rhetta Moran). Thank you.
Private firms are making increased profits as the government pays millions of pounds a day to put up asylum seekers in the UK, the BBC has learned
BBC News has been told 395 hotels are being used to house asylum seekers, as arrivals to the UK rose last year.
Documents show one booking agency used by the Home Office trebled its pre-tax profits from £2.1m to £6.3m in the 12 months up to February 2022.
The Home Office says the asylum system is under "incredible strain".
See the rest of this piece, here.
Documents show one booking agency used by the Home Office trebled its pre-tax profits from £2.1m to £6.3m in the 12 months up to February 2022.
The Home Office says the asylum system is under "incredible strain".
See the rest of this piece, here.
Shay speaks about his campaign and hunger strike at Strike Club’s event at Manchester's Band on the WallShay speaks about his campaign and 35-day hunger strike to challenge Serco’s treatment of hotel residents seeking asylum in the UK. (Link to youtube video.)
Shay spoke at Strike Club’s event at Manchester's Band on the Wall on the 23rd of Feb. 2023. It was an incredible night of solidarity between strikers and anti racist organisers. We look forward to the next event in March! The music featured is the amazing Yemi Bolatiwa. Solidarity! |
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Liverpool anti-racist rally on the 18th of Feb. 2023
"Serco report profit of £216 million in 2022, a 21% increase in profit worldwide. Hotel residents receive £9.10 each per week."
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED at an anti-racism rally in Liverpool on the 18th of February, 2023, organised in response to far-right violence outside a hotel providing refuge to migrants last week. Large crowds attended the "refugees welcome" protest outside St George's Hall in the city centre, where RAPAR were invited to speak. Vitalis, a leading member of RAPAR, stood alongside Shay Babagar to call for solidarity, rights, and justice, and to speak out about the conditions and inhumanities in global corporation Serco's 'contingency hotels'.
The Liverpool rally was on the same day that thousands of anti racists rallied in Dublin, and over 400 gathered in Rotherham, to expose and reject fascists' attempts to blame refugees for the current economic crisis.
Please view Vitalis's speech here and see the full transcript of the speech below. (And keep scrolling for photos.)
The Liverpool rally was on the same day that thousands of anti racists rallied in Dublin, and over 400 gathered in Rotherham, to expose and reject fascists' attempts to blame refugees for the current economic crisis.
Please view Vitalis's speech here and see the full transcript of the speech below. (And keep scrolling for photos.)
RAPAR’s Liverpool speech on Saturday 18th February 2023
1. Hello Liverpool! I am Vitalis, a member of RAPAR, the human rights organisation based in Manchester and also a leader in the said organisation.
2. Today, I stand before you with Shay’s family who are seeking asylum. They come from Balochistan in Pakistan. They came to the UK because, in their homeland, they fear for their lives.
3. We three are all human rights defenders. We stand in solidarity with everyone whose presence here re-asserts their commitment to working TOGETHER to make sure that we ALL achieve EQUAL human rights. I am now going to read Shays Family’s lived experience message.
4. Last summer, we arrived in the UK. Like all the other refugee people from around the world who have arrived here since the early days of Covid, the Home Office put us into ‘contingency accommodation’. That includes hotels that had become empty, suddenly, because of Covid.
5. The Home Office contracts privatised companies to look after the hotel residents and make sure we stay safe until their applications for asylum are processed.
6. In the Northwest it’s mostly the multinational corporation Serco. Serco is being paid £1.9 billion by the UK government. In 2022, Serco reported their profits worldwide rose by 21%, or £37 million, to £216 million. Hotel residents receive £9.10 each per week.
7. In July we reported belongings disappeared by Serco. We reported to Migrant Help, which is contracted to deal with hotel residents’ complaints.
8. In August and through to October, we reported abusive behaviour and physical assaults by Serco workers. At the moment, the police say they are not going to investigate the assaults any further.
9. In early November one of us went on hunger strike. We stopped after 35 days because, otherwise, irreversible physical damage would happen.
10. We stand BEFORE you today, continuing our campaign to stop the inhuman and degrading treatment, underpinned by racism and xenophobia, that has happened to us and other people INSIDE Serco-run hotels.
11. We stand WITH you today, to go forward TOGETHER to stop what happened OUTSIDE the hotel last Friday night.
12. Poverty has to exist for racist and xenophobic ideas to breed. We must end the poverty being lived by refugees AND all the people from here.
13. Going forward, the overwhelming majority of us - the 45,000 people seeking asylum living in contingency accommodation and all the other refugees in the UK, need to be part of this movement from below, to stop being divided and ruled from above.
14. Solidarity
1. Hello Liverpool! I am Vitalis, a member of RAPAR, the human rights organisation based in Manchester and also a leader in the said organisation.
2. Today, I stand before you with Shay’s family who are seeking asylum. They come from Balochistan in Pakistan. They came to the UK because, in their homeland, they fear for their lives.
3. We three are all human rights defenders. We stand in solidarity with everyone whose presence here re-asserts their commitment to working TOGETHER to make sure that we ALL achieve EQUAL human rights. I am now going to read Shays Family’s lived experience message.
4. Last summer, we arrived in the UK. Like all the other refugee people from around the world who have arrived here since the early days of Covid, the Home Office put us into ‘contingency accommodation’. That includes hotels that had become empty, suddenly, because of Covid.
5. The Home Office contracts privatised companies to look after the hotel residents and make sure we stay safe until their applications for asylum are processed.
6. In the Northwest it’s mostly the multinational corporation Serco. Serco is being paid £1.9 billion by the UK government. In 2022, Serco reported their profits worldwide rose by 21%, or £37 million, to £216 million. Hotel residents receive £9.10 each per week.
7. In July we reported belongings disappeared by Serco. We reported to Migrant Help, which is contracted to deal with hotel residents’ complaints.
8. In August and through to October, we reported abusive behaviour and physical assaults by Serco workers. At the moment, the police say they are not going to investigate the assaults any further.
9. In early November one of us went on hunger strike. We stopped after 35 days because, otherwise, irreversible physical damage would happen.
10. We stand BEFORE you today, continuing our campaign to stop the inhuman and degrading treatment, underpinned by racism and xenophobia, that has happened to us and other people INSIDE Serco-run hotels.
11. We stand WITH you today, to go forward TOGETHER to stop what happened OUTSIDE the hotel last Friday night.
12. Poverty has to exist for racist and xenophobic ideas to breed. We must end the poverty being lived by refugees AND all the people from here.
13. Going forward, the overwhelming majority of us - the 45,000 people seeking asylum living in contingency accommodation and all the other refugees in the UK, need to be part of this movement from below, to stop being divided and ruled from above.
14. Solidarity
18th Feb. 2023, Liverpool: Shay speaks with Jeremy Corbyn about his family's treatment in a Serco-managed hotel in Stockport and why they are here seeking refuge.
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18th Feb. 2023, Liverpool: Vitalis and Jeremy Corbyn talk together about seeking refuge in the UK's 'hostile environment'.
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Yvette Cooper speaks out about missing children and Home Office negligence in contingency 'asylum' hotelsLast night (24th Jan.), Yvette Cooper, Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract, Castleford & Knottingley, posted a tweet exposing the UK Home Office's negligence in safeguarding children in asylum contingency 'hotels'.
Cooper said that 1 in 4 children in one Home Office-funded hotel have gone missing, that half of them are still missing, and that the UK Government is failing to act. For many months, RAPAR has been calling for change to the Home Office's accommodation of people seeking asylum in the UK. In early 2022, RAPAR uncovered and reported neglect and safeguarding concerns in a Serco-run hotel in Manchester when we found that the children there were not registered in school and were being taught by other residents and volunteers in the carpark of the hotel: Refugee pupils with no school places have lessons in Manchester car parks (Guardian, 8th April. 2022) |
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Later in 2022, we learned about significant safe-guarding concerns in another Serco-run contingency hotel in Stockport, and at the time wrote an open letter to the leader of Stockport Council. Shortly after that, we issued a press release setting out the concerns of the residents of the hotel and a further press release when Stockport Council told us that they shared our concerns about the hotel.
Read the rest of this post here.
Read the rest of this post here.
29th - 30th Nov. 2022: Press conference with person seeking asylum on 27th day of hunger strike sparks further coverage'Hasan', who revealed in a press conference yesterday, the 29th of November, that his real name is Shay Babagar, joined a zoom with journalists to tell them first-hand about his family's experiences at a Serco-run contingency hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester. Mr Babagar is seeking political asylum in the UK after fleeing Pakistan where he was involved in political activity.
During the hour-long conversation, held in the RAPAR offices as Mr Babagar and his wife and 'sofa-surfing' with friends of RAPAR, and with the help of an interpreter, Shay described the residents' treatment and conditions at the hotel and explained why he took the drastic action of going on hunger strike. |
Front page of Morning Star, 30 November 2022 edition.
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Following the press conference, Mr Babagar's story has featured on the front page of the Morning Star (30th Nov. edition) and on the BBC's North West evening news (29th Nov.).
The piece on the Morning Star - Refugee on 28th day of hunger strike accuses Serco of 'inhuman and degrading treatment' of asylum-seekers - begins:
A refugee on the 28th day of a hunger strike has demanded an end to the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of asylum-seekers in hotels run by disgraced security firm Serco. Backed by a campaigning refugee support group in Manchester, Shay Babagar told an online media conference today that residents suffered poor hygiene, infections, lack of basic toiletries, inadequate food and abuse by staff.
He said he went on hunger strike in desperation on November 2 after complaints were ignored — and will end it only if his demands for change are met. He said: “I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhuman and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco.”
He also said that after he was hospitalised due to the effects of the hunger strike both he and his wife, who suffers Type 1 diabetes, were arrested in their hospital beds by Greater Manchester Police.
He is currently “sofa surfing” in Manchester at the homes of volunteers from the group backing his demands for action, Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Participatory Action Research). Mr Babagar is seeking political asylum after fleeing Pakistan where he was involved in political activity. Read the full piece on the Morning Star.
Mr Babagar's story also feature on BBC Northwest's evening news, and you can view the segment here. (We will add a link to the full piece on the BBC website when we have it.)
The piece on the Morning Star - Refugee on 28th day of hunger strike accuses Serco of 'inhuman and degrading treatment' of asylum-seekers - begins:
A refugee on the 28th day of a hunger strike has demanded an end to the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of asylum-seekers in hotels run by disgraced security firm Serco. Backed by a campaigning refugee support group in Manchester, Shay Babagar told an online media conference today that residents suffered poor hygiene, infections, lack of basic toiletries, inadequate food and abuse by staff.
He said he went on hunger strike in desperation on November 2 after complaints were ignored — and will end it only if his demands for change are met. He said: “I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhuman and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco.”
He also said that after he was hospitalised due to the effects of the hunger strike both he and his wife, who suffers Type 1 diabetes, were arrested in their hospital beds by Greater Manchester Police.
He is currently “sofa surfing” in Manchester at the homes of volunteers from the group backing his demands for action, Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Participatory Action Research). Mr Babagar is seeking political asylum after fleeing Pakistan where he was involved in political activity. Read the full piece on the Morning Star.
Mr Babagar's story also feature on BBC Northwest's evening news, and you can view the segment here. (We will add a link to the full piece on the BBC website when we have it.)
23rd Nov. 2022: On ITV: 'Hasan' on 21st day of hunger strike forced to sleep outside Serco-run hotel |
ITV has reported that in the ongoing and egregious dereliction of duties by the bosses of several state-funded bodies, the person seeking asylum who is on the 21st day of his hunger strike to protest against the 'inhumane' conditions in a Serco-run asylum hotel in Stockport, and his wife who suffers from ill-health, were forced to sleep outside another Serco-run hotel last night after being 'forcibly removed from hospital'.
ITV says: An asylum seeker on his 21st day of a hunger strike was forced to spend the night outside a hotel in near-freezing temperatures until emergency services were called, it has been claimed. "Hasan", not his real name, is on hunger strike in protest against what he calls "inhumane" and "degrading" conditions and mistreatment by staff at a Serco-run hotel in Stockport. He was taken to hospital at the beginning of November as his health deteriorated during his hunger strike. After two weeks he claims he was then forcibly discharged and taken by police to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington. Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Hasan said he and his wife, who has diabetes, "spent hours" at a Greater Manchester Police station before they were taken to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington. Hasan said his pre-existing serious concerns with Serco accommodation in Stockport meant he was dismayed at being taken to a Warrington hotel run by the company. In a message sent to ITV News from outside the hotel on Tuesday, 22 November, night he said: "Me and my wife are sitting outside in the open sky in this cold weather. "We are sitting outside because so many times Serco staff have abused us. We are trying to get justice but we have not got justice. "We refuse to stay in any Serco contingency hotel." Read the full report here and see more details about the protest here. |
17th Nov. 2022: On ITV: Person seeking asylum on hunger strike against 'inhumane' hotel treatment speaks publicly for first time |
On the 17th of November, ITV published an interview with the person who is on hunger strike to protest against the 'inhumane' treatment at Serco-run hotel in Stockport.
The piece begins: An asylum seeker has now gone fifteen days without food as part of a hunger strike against what he calls "inhumane and degrading" treatment by Home Office-contracted staff at a Stockport hotel. Hasan, whose name we have changed, was housed in the hotel - which is run by contractor Serco - by the Home Office. He is one of over 100 asylum seekers at the hotel who are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed. Hasan's condition deteriorated following his hunger strike, and he was taken to hospital. Speaking for the first time, he sent ITV News a video from his hospital bed - via the Manchester charity RAPAR - where he said he felt forced to take action. "I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhumane and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco", he said. "In pursuit of those reasonable aims, I am on hunger strike, accepting only fluids, electrolytes and vitamins, as recommended by my doctors", he added. More here on our updates page, and link to ITV page. |
12th Nov. 2022: On the BBC: Stockport Council and RAPAR speak out about scabies outbreak, rubbish in corridors and "inhumane treatment" in Serco-run asylum hotel |
The BBC have featured RAPAR's exposé about the degrading and inhuman conditions in a Serco-run asylum hotel in Greater Manchester.
Serco have denied all the allegations. However, in a press release that RAPAR issued this week, we reported that Stockport Council shared RAPAR's grave concerns about the conditions in the hotel: A spokesperson for the Stockport council leader said they share RAPAR’s concerns about conditions in the hotel “where the inadequate management arrangements and resettlement planning continue to cause extremely negative consequences.” Cllr Hunter’s office agrees that appropriate preventative arrangements are not in place at the hotel and that the model, which is designed for a high turnover, is not working. “The asylum seekers and Stockport residents are suffering. Asylum seekers have been cooped up in a hotel for months and this inhumane treatment acts as a Petri dish for mental health issues in a cohort that are already vulnerable,” says the council leader’s statement. See the full press release here. On Friday the 11th of November, the BBC included a segment on its evening news about asylum hotels. We asked the BBC to send us the clip to share - it is available to view on this link. See full coverage here on our updates. |
13th Oct. 2022: Open letter by email to Stockport Council leader - violations in SERCO-run hotel |
RAPAR has recently learned of further human rights abuses in a SERCO-run hotel in Greater Manchester.
We have written a letter to Stockport City Council leader to describe the hotel's conditions and violations in terms of education, health, food, maintenance and cleanliness, security, freedom of movement, and staff behaviour. This open letter is based on reports from the hotel's residents, RAPAR members. The letter begins: Dear Mr Hunter, Profound concerns about safeguarding and security at the Home Office subcontracted SERCO-controlled hotel located within the Stockport Council boundary I write to you as a member of the Human Rights organisation RAPAR and a Greater Manchester resident. Over the last ten days several RAPAR members who are in the National Asylum and Support system have begun to share extremely disturbing information about safeguarding and security issues related to the Stockport located SERCO run hotel that houses people seeking asylum. (You will of course know the name and location of this hotel and appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to disclose it in this Open Letter from RAPAR, thereby creating further safeguarding issues. Its identity is included in my cover email to you.) View the open letter here: Open letter from RAPAR to Stockport Council |
[ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN]
On the 5th of November, 2022, RAPAR was approached by a resident (Shay) of a Serco-run asylum 'hotel' in Stockport who had been hospitalised following beginning a hunger strike in protest against abuse, assaults and degrading conditions that he, his wife and their child were experiencing in the hotel: they had not been able to succeed in getting any of the authorities to listen and act to stop the violations.
Since then they have steadfastly refused to return to any Serco contingency accommodation and are resisting all attempts to intimidate or criminalise them back into living in a hotel and shutting up about the human rights violations that they insist that they and others residents have endured.
We in RAPAR stand alongside Shay and residents all of all asylum hotels in Greater Manchester and further afield as we work together for rights, safety and justice.
If you would like more information about the campaign, please get in touch on [email protected]
Please support our campaign crowdfunder here. See 'how to help' tab below for more detail.
Since then they have steadfastly refused to return to any Serco contingency accommodation and are resisting all attempts to intimidate or criminalise them back into living in a hotel and shutting up about the human rights violations that they insist that they and others residents have endured.
We in RAPAR stand alongside Shay and residents all of all asylum hotels in Greater Manchester and further afield as we work together for rights, safety and justice.
If you would like more information about the campaign, please get in touch on [email protected]
Please support our campaign crowdfunder here. See 'how to help' tab below for more detail.
[PRESS RELEASES FOR THE CAMPAIGN]
PRESS RELEASE: 9th May 2023: Asylum hotel hunger striker and wife enter ‘not guilty’ pleas
o Home Office finally offers accommodation away from Serco sites of alleged abuse and assault but absence of translator creates further miscommunication.
o Family now in contingency hotel where they found insects crawling in one of the beds and a compulsory room search has already happened.
Tony Lloyd, the family’s new MP in Rochdale, says: “Hotels are simply not the right place for families with young children to be housed for months on end. Serco has questions to answer about the basic quality of accommodation, their stewardship of the Home Office contract and dealing with legitimate complaints…” (see full quote on linked piece)
The Mum and Dad from Shay’s Family Campaign appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 27th April 2023. They were charged with a criminal offence and have entered ‘Not Guilty’ pleas. The two day hearing is scheduled for 11th and 12th December 2023 with a case management hearing set for 12th July this year.
It is alleged that, contrary to section 119 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 they did cause without reasonable excuse on NHS premises a nuisance / disturbance [between] … 11th and 22nd November 2022 at Stockport while on National Health Service premises, namely Stepping Hill Hospital , other than for the purpose of obtaining medical advice, treatment or care for yourself[ves], caused, without reasonable excuse a nuisance or disturbance to an National Health Service staff member who was working there or was otherwise there in connection with work and refused without reasonable excuse to leave the premises when asked to do so by a National Health Service staff member.
It was day 20 of Shay’s hunger strike, November 22nd 2022, when he and his wife were discharged as medically fit, immediately arrested and then, after spending six hours in separate cells at Pendleton Police station in Salford, were charged as above.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
And see the following links for videos of the conditions of Shay's family's room in a Rochdale contingency hotel, and the search of their room undertaken by Serco staff:
o Insects in the room and bed in Serco-run Rochdale hotel
o Inedible breakfast in Serco-run Rochdale hotel
o Serco staff search Shay's family's hotel room
o Home Office finally offers accommodation away from Serco sites of alleged abuse and assault but absence of translator creates further miscommunication.
o Family now in contingency hotel where they found insects crawling in one of the beds and a compulsory room search has already happened.
Tony Lloyd, the family’s new MP in Rochdale, says: “Hotels are simply not the right place for families with young children to be housed for months on end. Serco has questions to answer about the basic quality of accommodation, their stewardship of the Home Office contract and dealing with legitimate complaints…” (see full quote on linked piece)
The Mum and Dad from Shay’s Family Campaign appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 27th April 2023. They were charged with a criminal offence and have entered ‘Not Guilty’ pleas. The two day hearing is scheduled for 11th and 12th December 2023 with a case management hearing set for 12th July this year.
It is alleged that, contrary to section 119 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 they did cause without reasonable excuse on NHS premises a nuisance / disturbance [between] … 11th and 22nd November 2022 at Stockport while on National Health Service premises, namely Stepping Hill Hospital , other than for the purpose of obtaining medical advice, treatment or care for yourself[ves], caused, without reasonable excuse a nuisance or disturbance to an National Health Service staff member who was working there or was otherwise there in connection with work and refused without reasonable excuse to leave the premises when asked to do so by a National Health Service staff member.
It was day 20 of Shay’s hunger strike, November 22nd 2022, when he and his wife were discharged as medically fit, immediately arrested and then, after spending six hours in separate cells at Pendleton Police station in Salford, were charged as above.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
And see the following links for videos of the conditions of Shay's family's room in a Rochdale contingency hotel, and the search of their room undertaken by Serco staff:
o Insects in the room and bed in Serco-run Rochdale hotel
o Inedible breakfast in Serco-run Rochdale hotel
o Serco staff search Shay's family's hotel room
PRESS RELEASE: 18th Jan. 2023: Eleven year old child may end up homeless as Serco refuses to provide alternative asylum accommodation
Eleven year old child may end up homeless as Serco refuses to provide alternative asylum accommodation
For nearly three months, the Home Office's asylum accommodation provider Serco has insisted that a family - including an 11 year old child - returns to one of its "contingency hotels" or remains homeless.
The father, a political refugee from Balochistan, went on a 35 day hunger strike in early November to publicise the plight of hotel residents in asylum hotel accommodation in Stockport.
Serco is demanding that the family return to the hotel accommodation despite reports of serious Safeguarding concerns in at least two North West hotels.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
Eleven year old child may end up homeless as Serco refuses to provide alternative asylum accommodation
For nearly three months, the Home Office's asylum accommodation provider Serco has insisted that a family - including an 11 year old child - returns to one of its "contingency hotels" or remains homeless.
The father, a political refugee from Balochistan, went on a 35 day hunger strike in early November to publicise the plight of hotel residents in asylum hotel accommodation in Stockport.
Serco is demanding that the family return to the hotel accommodation despite reports of serious Safeguarding concerns in at least two North West hotels.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
PRESS RELEASE: 16th Dec. 2022: Whistleblower speaks out about safeguarding, racism and scabies at Serco's asylum “hotel” in Warrington
“It was not social care, it was more like police work,” she says
A qualified social worker, who spent nearly a year as a housing officer in a Serco managed hotel for newly arrived refugees, says she made the decision to leave because of her serious concerns about a lack of safeguarding and the mistreatment of many of the residents.
Jane worked as a social worker before taking a break for family reasons. Previously, she worked for local authorities and non-profit making organisations but wants to do a “return to practice” and re-registration course next year. She applied for the job in the Warrington hotel (one of three in the town accommodating people in the asylum system) because she saw it as a way of “easing herself back into the social care sector.”
But the hotel she worked in did not operate as social care. “It was more like police work: the staff policed the residents.”
Like all the asylum housing in the North West, the hotel is managed by Serco as part of their contract with the Home Office. Jane’s description of conditions at the hotel and treatment of residents more than supports the reports RAPAR has received about similar conditions and mistreatment in hotels in Stockport and Manchester.
The Warrington hotel is owned by a businessman in the Midlands who has a contract with Serco and the Home Office.
Jane says: “I think it was purely an investment and he bought it at the start of the pandemic.” She was told that he had “influential connections” but is not sure what that means.
One of the problems is the way the staff are recruited, she says. This is done through the Berkeley Scott agency “a leading provider of recruitment solutions for Hotels, Catering and Support Services.”
“They have no experience in social care but all staff, even housing officers, were recruited through them. Most of the staff are not trained in social care, they have worked in hotels and other jobs but have no idea about procedures relating to safeguarding, for example.”
She refers to health concerns which are mirrored in the Stockport hotel where the local authority had to step in to arrange treatment for a scabies outbreak.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
“It was not social care, it was more like police work,” she says
A qualified social worker, who spent nearly a year as a housing officer in a Serco managed hotel for newly arrived refugees, says she made the decision to leave because of her serious concerns about a lack of safeguarding and the mistreatment of many of the residents.
Jane worked as a social worker before taking a break for family reasons. Previously, she worked for local authorities and non-profit making organisations but wants to do a “return to practice” and re-registration course next year. She applied for the job in the Warrington hotel (one of three in the town accommodating people in the asylum system) because she saw it as a way of “easing herself back into the social care sector.”
But the hotel she worked in did not operate as social care. “It was more like police work: the staff policed the residents.”
Like all the asylum housing in the North West, the hotel is managed by Serco as part of their contract with the Home Office. Jane’s description of conditions at the hotel and treatment of residents more than supports the reports RAPAR has received about similar conditions and mistreatment in hotels in Stockport and Manchester.
The Warrington hotel is owned by a businessman in the Midlands who has a contract with Serco and the Home Office.
Jane says: “I think it was purely an investment and he bought it at the start of the pandemic.” She was told that he had “influential connections” but is not sure what that means.
One of the problems is the way the staff are recruited, she says. This is done through the Berkeley Scott agency “a leading provider of recruitment solutions for Hotels, Catering and Support Services.”
“They have no experience in social care but all staff, even housing officers, were recruited through them. Most of the staff are not trained in social care, they have worked in hotels and other jobs but have no idea about procedures relating to safeguarding, for example.”
She refers to health concerns which are mirrored in the Stockport hotel where the local authority had to step in to arrange treatment for a scabies outbreak.
SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
PRESS RELEASE: 28th Nov. 2022: Refugee on hunger strike speaks out about abuse and conditions at a Serco managed hotel in Stockport
Join the Zoom tomorrow Tuesday the 29th. Hunger striker to speak out about Serco hotels and arrest by police
"Hasan" will describe how he and his wife were arrested by Greater Manchester Police, forcibly removed from the hospital and kept in police cells before being taken to another Serco managed hotel in Warrington.
He will discuss his protest and treatment during a media update on Zoom at 10am on Tuesday 29th November. It will be the 27th day of his hunger strike.
Anyone who wishes to join the Press Conference should email [email protected] and ask for the Zoom link.
A man who has now been on hunger strike for nearly a month, protesting about residents' treatment and conditions at a Serco managed hotel in
Stockport, will meet journalists and politicians at a Zoom press conference at 10am on Tuesday, 29th November.
He will discuss why he took such drastic action to highlight the conditions he and many other people seeking asylum are enduring in Serco hotel
accommodation throughout the North West. He will also discuss how he and his wife were arrested, taken from hospital and kept isolated in separate police cells before being taken to Warrington where they ended up outside in the cold and rain in the early hours of the morning.
In shocking scenes last week, witnessed by human rights volunteers, hospital staff and patients, "Hassan" and his wife, who has type 1 diabetes, were arrested and forcibly removed from their beds by Greater Manchester Police officers before being taken to a Salford police station where they were kept in separate cells for over six hours. The couple believe Serco staff were present when they were arrested.
At 10pm that night, they were taken to a Serco managed hotel in Warrington, despite "Hassan" having made clear that one of the conditions of stopping his hunger strike was that they should not be housed in any Serco "contingency" hotel accommodation following reports of ill-treatment by
staff. They were too afraid to go to their room at the Warrington hotel because of what they had previously experienced in Stockport and asked if
they could wait in the reception area for the night. Hotel staff refused to allow them to do this and they waited outside until an ambulance arrived
after they called the emergency services.
Conditions at the Stockport, Warrington and other similar "contingency" hotels, where people seeking asylum are housed while they wait for their
main Home Office interviews, have been highlighted by RAPAR and others. Stockport council said it shared RAPAR's concerns about the Serco managed hotel where an outbreak of scabies was only contained after an intervention by the local authority.
Attempts by residents to report health issues, verbal abuse, and nutritional concerns to Migrant Help, the charity which is supposed to relay residents' concerns to Serco, frequently came to nothing because it regularly takes hours to get through to the number provided. This problem
has been reported throughout the UK.
It was the hopelessness of the situation and his belief that no-one was listening which led to "Hassan" starting a hunger strike on November 2nd.
He was taken to hospital two days later after collapsing at the hotel.
RAPAR became aware of his hunger strike on November 5th, the day after he was admitted to hospital. We are now working with others to find temporary accommodation where "Hassan" and his wife feel safe.
Anyone who wishes to join the Press Conference on zoom 10am on Tuesday November 29th should email [email protected] and ask for the Zoom link.
For further details:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant [email protected] 07865 713474
Join the Zoom tomorrow Tuesday the 29th. Hunger striker to speak out about Serco hotels and arrest by police
"Hasan" will describe how he and his wife were arrested by Greater Manchester Police, forcibly removed from the hospital and kept in police cells before being taken to another Serco managed hotel in Warrington.
He will discuss his protest and treatment during a media update on Zoom at 10am on Tuesday 29th November. It will be the 27th day of his hunger strike.
Anyone who wishes to join the Press Conference should email [email protected] and ask for the Zoom link.
A man who has now been on hunger strike for nearly a month, protesting about residents' treatment and conditions at a Serco managed hotel in
Stockport, will meet journalists and politicians at a Zoom press conference at 10am on Tuesday, 29th November.
He will discuss why he took such drastic action to highlight the conditions he and many other people seeking asylum are enduring in Serco hotel
accommodation throughout the North West. He will also discuss how he and his wife were arrested, taken from hospital and kept isolated in separate police cells before being taken to Warrington where they ended up outside in the cold and rain in the early hours of the morning.
In shocking scenes last week, witnessed by human rights volunteers, hospital staff and patients, "Hassan" and his wife, who has type 1 diabetes, were arrested and forcibly removed from their beds by Greater Manchester Police officers before being taken to a Salford police station where they were kept in separate cells for over six hours. The couple believe Serco staff were present when they were arrested.
At 10pm that night, they were taken to a Serco managed hotel in Warrington, despite "Hassan" having made clear that one of the conditions of stopping his hunger strike was that they should not be housed in any Serco "contingency" hotel accommodation following reports of ill-treatment by
staff. They were too afraid to go to their room at the Warrington hotel because of what they had previously experienced in Stockport and asked if
they could wait in the reception area for the night. Hotel staff refused to allow them to do this and they waited outside until an ambulance arrived
after they called the emergency services.
Conditions at the Stockport, Warrington and other similar "contingency" hotels, where people seeking asylum are housed while they wait for their
main Home Office interviews, have been highlighted by RAPAR and others. Stockport council said it shared RAPAR's concerns about the Serco managed hotel where an outbreak of scabies was only contained after an intervention by the local authority.
Attempts by residents to report health issues, verbal abuse, and nutritional concerns to Migrant Help, the charity which is supposed to relay residents' concerns to Serco, frequently came to nothing because it regularly takes hours to get through to the number provided. This problem
has been reported throughout the UK.
It was the hopelessness of the situation and his belief that no-one was listening which led to "Hassan" starting a hunger strike on November 2nd.
He was taken to hospital two days later after collapsing at the hotel.
RAPAR became aware of his hunger strike on November 5th, the day after he was admitted to hospital. We are now working with others to find temporary accommodation where "Hassan" and his wife feel safe.
Anyone who wishes to join the Press Conference on zoom 10am on Tuesday November 29th should email [email protected] and ask for the Zoom link.
For further details:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant [email protected] 07865 713474
PRESS RELEASE: 14th Nov. 2022: Resident of hotel housing people seeking asylum is on 12th day of a hunger strike
HE IS PROTESTING ABOUT CONDITIONS AND TREATMENT AT THE SERCO MANAGED ACCOMMODATION IN STOCKPORT
A man who has been living with his family at a Serco managed hotel in Stockport - which has been the subject of widespread complaints - has now been on hunger strike for 12 days, protesting about conditions at the hotel and the way Serco staff treat residents.
RAPAR sent an Open Letter to Stockport council, and the town's four MPs, after being told that Serco were not responding to residents' safeguarding and health and safety complaints. Stockport council said they shared RAPAR's concerns (see press release from 10th Nov. immediately below).
Attempts by residents to reach Migrant Help, the organisation tasked by the Home Office with relaying residents' complaints to Serco, are frequently unsuccessful and many people have given up trying. This is a UK wide problem which is not being properly acknowledged by the Home Office or Serco. (On the Guardian: ‘It just rings and rings’: Home Office helpline for asylum seekers rated inadequate)
The hopelessness of the situation and his belief that no-one was listening led one man to start a hunger strike on November 2nd. He was taken to hospital two days later after collapsing at the hotel.
RAPAR became aware of his hunger strike on November 5th, the day after he was admitted to hospital and, since then, we have been liaising with hospital staff, social workers, and medical and legal professionals. His wife, who has type 1 diabetes, has been in the same hospital since the end of October and their daughter is currently living with a family friend.
During the last week, RAPAR has become increasingly concerned about the man's health. He was given fluids through a drip but this was disconnected and he has had no fluids since the drip was removed on Friday, November 10th. If this continues, it is likely to have serious consequences for his health.
He has been told he will be returned to the hotel but both he and his wife are frightened of going back because of the abuse they say they were subjected to in the past, and RAPAR has asked Stockport council and local MPs to assist with finding alternative and safe accommodation.
He is willing to take fluids intravenously but, at the moment, the drip remains disconnected and RAPAR has grave fears for his health.
His conditions for stopping the hunger strike include the introduction of a secure and efficient mechanism for all hotel residents to report complaints and concerns. But he is also asking for the immediate cessation of any attempts by the hospital staff to return him or his wife to the hotel. He says there should be no further interaction with him or his wife about leaving the hospital unless an appropriate interpreter and a RAPAR advocate are present.
Last week, the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Neal said housing people seeking asylum in hotels is "grim" and urged the Home Office to speed up the decision making process so people can begin to rebuild their lives. (On the Metro: Keeping asylum seekers in hotels is 'grim', says inspector)
Dr Rhetta Moran of RAPAR said: “The Government’s ‘hostile environment’ is attempting to distract us from the many profound crises we face in housing, the cost of living, the health service etc. These crises have been manufactured through the systematic privatisation and underfunding of public services and housing and naked profiteering by a tiny minority. Their attempts to ferment xenophobia and make refugees the scapegoats is simply the latest version of divide and rule.
"At the same time as Government policies deny people seeking asylum their right to work legally, its Home Office pays the private firm Serco to ‘house and look after’ people in the asylum system. The job they have done so far is so terrible that our member has felt compelled to hunger strike. His actions are intended to demonstrate, beyond any doubt, the depth of his family’s experience of inhumane and degrading treatment at the hands of this Government appointed firm, and the utter uselessness of the complaints mechanisms that are supposed to address its failings. He must not be returned to that hotel. It is unsafe."
For more information please contact:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
HE IS PROTESTING ABOUT CONDITIONS AND TREATMENT AT THE SERCO MANAGED ACCOMMODATION IN STOCKPORT
A man who has been living with his family at a Serco managed hotel in Stockport - which has been the subject of widespread complaints - has now been on hunger strike for 12 days, protesting about conditions at the hotel and the way Serco staff treat residents.
RAPAR sent an Open Letter to Stockport council, and the town's four MPs, after being told that Serco were not responding to residents' safeguarding and health and safety complaints. Stockport council said they shared RAPAR's concerns (see press release from 10th Nov. immediately below).
Attempts by residents to reach Migrant Help, the organisation tasked by the Home Office with relaying residents' complaints to Serco, are frequently unsuccessful and many people have given up trying. This is a UK wide problem which is not being properly acknowledged by the Home Office or Serco. (On the Guardian: ‘It just rings and rings’: Home Office helpline for asylum seekers rated inadequate)
The hopelessness of the situation and his belief that no-one was listening led one man to start a hunger strike on November 2nd. He was taken to hospital two days later after collapsing at the hotel.
RAPAR became aware of his hunger strike on November 5th, the day after he was admitted to hospital and, since then, we have been liaising with hospital staff, social workers, and medical and legal professionals. His wife, who has type 1 diabetes, has been in the same hospital since the end of October and their daughter is currently living with a family friend.
During the last week, RAPAR has become increasingly concerned about the man's health. He was given fluids through a drip but this was disconnected and he has had no fluids since the drip was removed on Friday, November 10th. If this continues, it is likely to have serious consequences for his health.
He has been told he will be returned to the hotel but both he and his wife are frightened of going back because of the abuse they say they were subjected to in the past, and RAPAR has asked Stockport council and local MPs to assist with finding alternative and safe accommodation.
He is willing to take fluids intravenously but, at the moment, the drip remains disconnected and RAPAR has grave fears for his health.
His conditions for stopping the hunger strike include the introduction of a secure and efficient mechanism for all hotel residents to report complaints and concerns. But he is also asking for the immediate cessation of any attempts by the hospital staff to return him or his wife to the hotel. He says there should be no further interaction with him or his wife about leaving the hospital unless an appropriate interpreter and a RAPAR advocate are present.
Last week, the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Neal said housing people seeking asylum in hotels is "grim" and urged the Home Office to speed up the decision making process so people can begin to rebuild their lives. (On the Metro: Keeping asylum seekers in hotels is 'grim', says inspector)
Dr Rhetta Moran of RAPAR said: “The Government’s ‘hostile environment’ is attempting to distract us from the many profound crises we face in housing, the cost of living, the health service etc. These crises have been manufactured through the systematic privatisation and underfunding of public services and housing and naked profiteering by a tiny minority. Their attempts to ferment xenophobia and make refugees the scapegoats is simply the latest version of divide and rule.
"At the same time as Government policies deny people seeking asylum their right to work legally, its Home Office pays the private firm Serco to ‘house and look after’ people in the asylum system. The job they have done so far is so terrible that our member has felt compelled to hunger strike. His actions are intended to demonstrate, beyond any doubt, the depth of his family’s experience of inhumane and degrading treatment at the hands of this Government appointed firm, and the utter uselessness of the complaints mechanisms that are supposed to address its failings. He must not be returned to that hotel. It is unsafe."
For more information please contact:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
PRESS RELEASE: 10th Nov. 2022: Stockport council shares RAPAR's concerns about hotel providing accommodation for people seeking asylum
Stockport council has confirmed that it shares many of the concerns RAPAR raised last week about the Serco managed hotel that provides accommodation for people seeking asylum.
RAPAR sent an open letter to council leader Mark Hunter and all four Stockport MPs about a number of issues, including an outbreak of Scabies, safeguarding fears, reported abuse from Serco staff, and insufficient and inappropriate food (see open letter here).
Serco dismissed RAPAR’s anxieties, saying: “The allegations made by RAPAR are incorrect.” They claimed there were no cases of scabies, that a balanced and nutritious menu was provided, and denied that their staff treated residents with disrespect.
However, a spokeswoman for the Stockport council leader said they share RAPAR’s concerns about conditions in the hotel “where the inadequate management arrangements and resettlement planning continue to cause extremely negative consequences.”
Cllr Hunter’s office agrees that appropriate preventative arrangements are not in place at the hotel and that the model, which is designed for a high turnover, is not working.
“The asylum seekers and Stockport residents are suffering. Asylum seekers have been cooped up in a hotel for months and this inhumane treatment acts as a Petri dish for mental health issues in a cohort that are already vulnerable,” says the council leader’s statement.
Cllr Hunter adds: “We are aware that there is an outbreak of Scabies and it is because of the arrangements we have put in place that individuals are receiving treatment.”
The council leader says the authority has worked extremely hard to persuade Serco to provide more nutritional and appetising food, especially for children, by suggesting menus, supporting hotel users to provide feedback, and putting the hotel in touch with other locations where food is being managed more successfully.
“Many of the issues you have raised are those we have sought to address and progress on a regular basis with Serco and Home Office colleagues. However, there is a limit to our influence as this is a contract between the hotel and Serco on behalf of the Home Office.
“Stockport is a welcoming and inclusive borough and we are proud of how community, voluntary agencies and public sector have provided warm support to Asylum Seekers, Afghan Evacuees and Ukrainians over the past year or so.”
RAPAR had supplied photographs which showed bags of rubbish dumped in corridors and stairwells and the council leader has asked environmental health officers to visit the hotel again and review the arrangements, particularly food and hygiene. “Please be reassured we will take enforcement action if there are failings that we are empowered to act upon.”
The council leader’s statement also revealed that he wrote to the previous Home Secretary “to outline our serious concerns regarding the arrangements in place for temporary and permanent settlement of various communities within Stockport.”
He says it was the second time the council had written since the hotel was first utilised for refugees and adds: “I am afraid we have not witnessed an improvement in the conditions that asylum seekers are being housed, nor received additional funding to help the voluntary and public sector provide much needed support.”
For more information, please contact:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
Stockport council has confirmed that it shares many of the concerns RAPAR raised last week about the Serco managed hotel that provides accommodation for people seeking asylum.
RAPAR sent an open letter to council leader Mark Hunter and all four Stockport MPs about a number of issues, including an outbreak of Scabies, safeguarding fears, reported abuse from Serco staff, and insufficient and inappropriate food (see open letter here).
Serco dismissed RAPAR’s anxieties, saying: “The allegations made by RAPAR are incorrect.” They claimed there were no cases of scabies, that a balanced and nutritious menu was provided, and denied that their staff treated residents with disrespect.
However, a spokeswoman for the Stockport council leader said they share RAPAR’s concerns about conditions in the hotel “where the inadequate management arrangements and resettlement planning continue to cause extremely negative consequences.”
Cllr Hunter’s office agrees that appropriate preventative arrangements are not in place at the hotel and that the model, which is designed for a high turnover, is not working.
“The asylum seekers and Stockport residents are suffering. Asylum seekers have been cooped up in a hotel for months and this inhumane treatment acts as a Petri dish for mental health issues in a cohort that are already vulnerable,” says the council leader’s statement.
Cllr Hunter adds: “We are aware that there is an outbreak of Scabies and it is because of the arrangements we have put in place that individuals are receiving treatment.”
The council leader says the authority has worked extremely hard to persuade Serco to provide more nutritional and appetising food, especially for children, by suggesting menus, supporting hotel users to provide feedback, and putting the hotel in touch with other locations where food is being managed more successfully.
“Many of the issues you have raised are those we have sought to address and progress on a regular basis with Serco and Home Office colleagues. However, there is a limit to our influence as this is a contract between the hotel and Serco on behalf of the Home Office.
“Stockport is a welcoming and inclusive borough and we are proud of how community, voluntary agencies and public sector have provided warm support to Asylum Seekers, Afghan Evacuees and Ukrainians over the past year or so.”
RAPAR had supplied photographs which showed bags of rubbish dumped in corridors and stairwells and the council leader has asked environmental health officers to visit the hotel again and review the arrangements, particularly food and hygiene. “Please be reassured we will take enforcement action if there are failings that we are empowered to act upon.”
The council leader’s statement also revealed that he wrote to the previous Home Secretary “to outline our serious concerns regarding the arrangements in place for temporary and permanent settlement of various communities within Stockport.”
He says it was the second time the council had written since the hotel was first utilised for refugees and adds: “I am afraid we have not witnessed an improvement in the conditions that asylum seekers are being housed, nor received additional funding to help the voluntary and public sector provide much needed support.”
For more information, please contact:
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
Rubbish piled in SERCO-run hotel
PRESS RELEASE: 2nd Nov. 2022: Refugees raise safeguarding and health concerns at Stockport hotel
RAPAR'S OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL LEADER MARK HUNTER AND GREATER MANCHESTER MAYOR ANDY BURNHAM
Refugees living in a Serco managed hotel in Stockport have raised serious safeguarding and health concerns that remain unaddressed despite numerous complaints.
RAPAR has written an open letter to Stockport council leader Mark Hunter, senior council officers and cabinet members, to draw their attention to the unsafe and unhygienic conditions at the hotel and the violation of people's rights. The letter has also been sent to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the four Stockport MPs.
The disclosure follows concerns about a similar Serco managed hotel in Manchester and recent hard-hitting criticism from the Chief Inspector of Prisons about escalating problems at the Manston short-term holding centre in Kent.
"This is a UK wide issue," says RAPAR founder Dr Rhetta Moran. "Vulnerable people, for whom raising these concerns has involved great courage, have done so out of a real desire to improve things for everyone at the hotel."
The hotel has had cases of scabies with residents living in permanent anxiety about acquiring it, and other skin complaints have been reported. Rubbish is left to pile up in stairwells and corridors and includes medical waste hazards. Residents say it is also a fire hazard but their suggestions about handling waste have been ignored.
Transport help for essential hospital appointments has been refused, including for a child with mobility challenges. Requests for interpreters have not been followed up.
Some children are not in school and this situation has not been helped by the withdrawal of school transport. Food quality is poor, unhygienic and frequently inedible. People with medical conditions are given inappropriate diets. Yet residents are banned from cooking in their rooms and the £8 per person they receive each week is not enough to cover take-outs.
Children are able to leave the building without supervision, and there have been instances of non hotel residents entering the building and posing security risks. Serco staff walk into residents' rooms without permission and sometimes without knocking. There have been reports of Serco staff shouting at children, showing disrespect towards women, and ridiculing residents who have mental health issues.
Complaints about these violations have been made to Migrant Help, which Serco and the Home Office say is the correct procedure, but nothing has been done.
Serco manages the hotel on behalf of the Home Office. Along with similar hotels throughout the UK, it is meant to be temporary accommodation while people wait for their asylum claims to be processed. But families and individuals often end up living there for long periods of time so Safeguarding and Education are the responsibility of the local authority which covers the location of the hotels.
Dr Moran adds: "Calls are mounting for the removal of the latest Home Secretary. She is the Government representative with ultimate responsibility for the safeguarding of so many people who are being 'looked after' by the State, including the people seeking asylum in the UK's processing and detention centres, dispersal hotels and houses in the communities.
"Racists love her language. It dehumanises, stokes scapegoat fires, and tries to distract our attention away from the real 'invasion' - by multinational capital. It isn't the 'refugees' or the cost of 'living' that is creating our current crisis, including the gross hotel conditions described by our members. It is the cost of 'corporate greed' that is embodied in organisations like Serco."
For more information, see the RAPAR updates section of the website.
Or contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
RAPAR'S OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL LEADER MARK HUNTER AND GREATER MANCHESTER MAYOR ANDY BURNHAM
Refugees living in a Serco managed hotel in Stockport have raised serious safeguarding and health concerns that remain unaddressed despite numerous complaints.
RAPAR has written an open letter to Stockport council leader Mark Hunter, senior council officers and cabinet members, to draw their attention to the unsafe and unhygienic conditions at the hotel and the violation of people's rights. The letter has also been sent to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the four Stockport MPs.
The disclosure follows concerns about a similar Serco managed hotel in Manchester and recent hard-hitting criticism from the Chief Inspector of Prisons about escalating problems at the Manston short-term holding centre in Kent.
"This is a UK wide issue," says RAPAR founder Dr Rhetta Moran. "Vulnerable people, for whom raising these concerns has involved great courage, have done so out of a real desire to improve things for everyone at the hotel."
The hotel has had cases of scabies with residents living in permanent anxiety about acquiring it, and other skin complaints have been reported. Rubbish is left to pile up in stairwells and corridors and includes medical waste hazards. Residents say it is also a fire hazard but their suggestions about handling waste have been ignored.
Transport help for essential hospital appointments has been refused, including for a child with mobility challenges. Requests for interpreters have not been followed up.
Some children are not in school and this situation has not been helped by the withdrawal of school transport. Food quality is poor, unhygienic and frequently inedible. People with medical conditions are given inappropriate diets. Yet residents are banned from cooking in their rooms and the £8 per person they receive each week is not enough to cover take-outs.
Children are able to leave the building without supervision, and there have been instances of non hotel residents entering the building and posing security risks. Serco staff walk into residents' rooms without permission and sometimes without knocking. There have been reports of Serco staff shouting at children, showing disrespect towards women, and ridiculing residents who have mental health issues.
Complaints about these violations have been made to Migrant Help, which Serco and the Home Office say is the correct procedure, but nothing has been done.
Serco manages the hotel on behalf of the Home Office. Along with similar hotels throughout the UK, it is meant to be temporary accommodation while people wait for their asylum claims to be processed. But families and individuals often end up living there for long periods of time so Safeguarding and Education are the responsibility of the local authority which covers the location of the hotels.
Dr Moran adds: "Calls are mounting for the removal of the latest Home Secretary. She is the Government representative with ultimate responsibility for the safeguarding of so many people who are being 'looked after' by the State, including the people seeking asylum in the UK's processing and detention centres, dispersal hotels and houses in the communities.
"Racists love her language. It dehumanises, stokes scapegoat fires, and tries to distract our attention away from the real 'invasion' - by multinational capital. It isn't the 'refugees' or the cost of 'living' that is creating our current crisis, including the gross hotel conditions described by our members. It is the cost of 'corporate greed' that is embodied in organisations like Serco."
For more information, see the RAPAR updates section of the website.
Or contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776 264646
Kath Grant 07865 713474
PRESS RELEASE: 13th JULY 2022: Refugees living in Serco managed hotel in Manchester need a safe way to raise their concerns
RAPAR sends Open Letter to the City Solicitor asking for immediate action
Manchester-based Human Rights Charity RAPAR has written to Manchester City Council’s chief legal officer about conditions at a hotel housing refugees which is managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office.
People living in the hotel desperately need to speak about their fears and anxieties - but there is no safe whistleblowing mechanism in place that allows them to do this.
In an Open Letter to City Solicitor Fiona Ledden, RAPAR spokesperson Dr Rhetta Moran says that, over the last four months, a number of people have been slowly sharing disturbing information about serious safeguarding issues.
RAPAR acknowledges that the Home Office is responsible for the contract they have with Serco, and for the agreement Serco has with the hotel for accommodation and provision of food.
“We have tried to work through formal structures to address ongoing human rights issues but it seems to us that Manchester City Council is hiding behind the contractual relationship the Home Office has with Serco to avoid acting on genuine adult and child safeguarding concerns,” Dr Moran adds.
In the Open Letter to Ms Ledden, copied to senior health officials and council staff - including council leader Bev Craig - Dr Moran says RAPAR has consistently raised concerns with the City Council as the relevant body with statutory responsibilities for the hotel residents.
In March, lack of action by the Council led RAPAR to publicise the fact that children at the hotel were being denied their right to education. Refugee pupils with no school places have lessons in Manchester car parks (guardian)
“Despite this and, as far as we are aware, there is still no systematic mechanism to ensure that this violation of children’s rights ceases for good,” Dr Moran adds.
Since then, people at the hotel have told RAPAR they are worried about:
Earlier this month, Dr Moran attended a meeting about the hotel with two senior city council officers and a representative from another third sector organisation. She was unable to discover who from Manchester City Council has named, statutory responsibility for ensuring the fundamental safeguarding of residents at the hotel.
RAPAR knows that OHID (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) is fully aware of the problems at this particular hotel and others managed by Serco across the North West and would like to know what they are doing about this public health matter.
At the meeting, the absence of a transparent, secure and accountable mechanism for reporting safeguarding issues prevented Dr Moran from sharing any primary evidence from RAPAR members who live at the hotel. “The residents are extremely vulnerable and they want to whistle blow about these safeguarding issues but they must have a secure mechanism to do so.”
On behalf of RAPAR, Dr Moran has previously sent a letter asking for a meeting with the Local Authority and Health officials to agree a mechanism for joint working. This could then be presented to the Home Office, Serco, the hotel chain management and Go To Doc which has recently replaced the local GP practice at the hotel. There was no response to this letter and it was this failure to respond that prompted the Open Letter to the City Solicitor from RAPAR.
RAPAR sends Open Letter to the City Solicitor asking for immediate action
Manchester-based Human Rights Charity RAPAR has written to Manchester City Council’s chief legal officer about conditions at a hotel housing refugees which is managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office.
People living in the hotel desperately need to speak about their fears and anxieties - but there is no safe whistleblowing mechanism in place that allows them to do this.
In an Open Letter to City Solicitor Fiona Ledden, RAPAR spokesperson Dr Rhetta Moran says that, over the last four months, a number of people have been slowly sharing disturbing information about serious safeguarding issues.
RAPAR acknowledges that the Home Office is responsible for the contract they have with Serco, and for the agreement Serco has with the hotel for accommodation and provision of food.
“We have tried to work through formal structures to address ongoing human rights issues but it seems to us that Manchester City Council is hiding behind the contractual relationship the Home Office has with Serco to avoid acting on genuine adult and child safeguarding concerns,” Dr Moran adds.
In the Open Letter to Ms Ledden, copied to senior health officials and council staff - including council leader Bev Craig - Dr Moran says RAPAR has consistently raised concerns with the City Council as the relevant body with statutory responsibilities for the hotel residents.
In March, lack of action by the Council led RAPAR to publicise the fact that children at the hotel were being denied their right to education. Refugee pupils with no school places have lessons in Manchester car parks (guardian)
“Despite this and, as far as we are aware, there is still no systematic mechanism to ensure that this violation of children’s rights ceases for good,” Dr Moran adds.
Since then, people at the hotel have told RAPAR they are worried about:
- Their diet at the hotel which they fear is causing malnutrition among some children and severely impacting upon the health and well-being of breast-feeding mothers and infants.
- Their mental health (residents have tried to kill themselves).
- Being advised by Serco staff not to report their complaints to Migrant Help.
- The absence of any induction about fire safety arrangements or evacuation procedures. During the last four months, two fires occurred, and residents had no knowledge of fire exits or how to follow safety procedures.
- Their Freedom of Movement. Residents are not allowed to have visitors in the hotel. Attendance is required at three consecutive meals.
Earlier this month, Dr Moran attended a meeting about the hotel with two senior city council officers and a representative from another third sector organisation. She was unable to discover who from Manchester City Council has named, statutory responsibility for ensuring the fundamental safeguarding of residents at the hotel.
RAPAR knows that OHID (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) is fully aware of the problems at this particular hotel and others managed by Serco across the North West and would like to know what they are doing about this public health matter.
At the meeting, the absence of a transparent, secure and accountable mechanism for reporting safeguarding issues prevented Dr Moran from sharing any primary evidence from RAPAR members who live at the hotel. “The residents are extremely vulnerable and they want to whistle blow about these safeguarding issues but they must have a secure mechanism to do so.”
On behalf of RAPAR, Dr Moran has previously sent a letter asking for a meeting with the Local Authority and Health officials to agree a mechanism for joint working. This could then be presented to the Home Office, Serco, the hotel chain management and Go To Doc which has recently replaced the local GP practice at the hotel. There was no response to this letter and it was this failure to respond that prompted the Open Letter to the City Solicitor from RAPAR.
[MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN]
The conditions in the asylum 'hotels' have received considerable media attention through RAPAR's work with the residents in the hotels. Media coverage is listed newest to oldest:
o Tues. 29th November: Feature on BBC Northwest. Link to video clip. (A link to the piece on the BBC website will follow.)
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o Tues. 29th November: Refugee on 28th day of hunger strike accuses Serco of 'inhuman and degrading treatment' of asylum-seekers (Morning Star
A refugee on the 28th day of a hunger strike has demanded an end to the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of asylum-seekers in hotels run by disgraced security firm Serco.
Backed by a campaigning refugee support group in Manchester, Shay Babagar told an online media conference today that residents suffered poor hygiene, infections, lack of basic toiletries, inadequate food and abuse by staff.
He said he went on hunger strike in desperation on November 2 after complaints were ignored — and will end it only if his demands for change are met.
He said: “I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhuman and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco.”
He also said that after he was hospitalised due to the effects of the hunger strike both he and his wife, who suffers Type 1 diabetes, were arrested in their hospital beds by Greater Manchester Police.
He is currently “sofa surfing” in Manchester at the homes of volunteers from the group backing his demands for action, Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Participatory Action Research).
Mr Babagar is seeking political asylum after fleeing Pakistan where he was involved in political activity.
...............................................................................
o Wed. 23rd November: Asylum seeker on hunger strike claims he spent night outside Warrington hotel until ambulance called (ITV news)
An asylum seeker on his 21st day of a hunger strike was forced to spend the night outside a hotel in near-freezing temperatures until emergency services were called, it has been claimed.
"Hasan", not his real name, is on hunger strike in protest against what he calls "inhumane" and "degrading" conditions and mistreatment by staff at a Serco-run hotel in Stockport.
He was taken to hospital at the beginning of November as his health deteriorated during his hunger strike.
After two weeks he claims he was then forcibly discharged and taken by police to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington.
Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Hasan said he and his wife, who has diabetes, "spent hours" at a Greater Manchester Police station before they were taken to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington.
Hasan said his pre-existing serious concerns with Serco accommodation in Stockport meant he was dismayed at being taken to a Warrington hotel run by the company.
In a message sent to ITV News from outside the hotel on Tuesday, 22 November, night he said: "Me and my wife are sitting outside in the open sky in this cold weather.
"We are sitting outside because so many times Serco staff have abused us. We are trying to get justice but we have not got justice. "We refuse to stay in any Serco contingency hotel." (Full story on link.)
...............................................................................
o Thurs. 17th November: Asylum seeker on hunger strike against 'inhumane' treatment at Stockport hotel (ITV news)
An asylum seeker has now gone fifteen days without food as part of a hunger strike against what he calls "inhumane and degrading" treatment by Home Office-contracted staff at a Stockport hotel. Hasan, whose name we have changed, was housed in the hotel - which is run by contractor Serco - by the Home Office. He is one of over 100 asylum seekers at the hotel who are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.
Hasan's condition deteriorated following his hunger strike, and he was taken to hospital. Speaking for the first time, he sent ITV News a video from his hospital bed - via the Manchester charity RAPAR - where he said he felt forced to take action. "I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhumane and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco", he said. "In pursuit of those reasonable aims, I am on hunger strike, accepting only fluids, electrolytes and vitamins, as recommended by my doctors", he added.
Hasan wants his family are rehoused in "reasonable conditions" and has also called for hotel residents' complaints to be resolved. "We residents must not be subjected to any form of retribution if we raise complaints", he added.
Serco strongly rejects the allegations. (Full story and interview with a teenager seeking asylum on the link.)
...............................................................................
o Wed. 16th November: Shocking truth about refugee accommodation (Not the Andrew Marr Show)
Following stories that refugees were living the life of luxury in five star hotels, Crispin Flintoff spoke to Rhetta Moran, co-founder of RAPAR (Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research). (Interview on link)
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o Mon. 14th November: Refugee on 12th day of hunger strike in protest against conditions at Serco-run Home Office accommodation (Morning Star)
(Following RAPAR's press release)
A REFUGEE has been on hunger strike for 12 days in protest at conditions at a Stockport hotel run for the Home Office by disgraced outsourcing firm Serco.
Manchester-based refugee support group Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-seeker Participatory Action Research) reported that it had investigated the hotel and found shocking conditions, including inedible food, skin diseases, abuse by staff and rubbish piled up on landings. Serco and the Home Office denied that such conditions existed, but Stockport Council said that it shared Rapar’s concerns about the hotel. Council leader Mark Hunter said: “The asylum-seekers and Stockport residents are suffering. (Full story on link.)
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o Sat. 12th November: Asylum seekers: Scabies and abuse at Stockport hotel, council claims (The BBC)
Residents at a hotel accommodating asylum seekers faced a scabies outbreak and "inhumane treatment", a council and a charity have claimed. Stockport Council said people were "cooped up" at an unnamed hotel in the town for a number of months, with some residents being treated for scabies.
Human rights charity Rapar said piles of rubbish were left in corridors and insects were found in food. Serco, which runs the hotel, said there were "currently no cases of scabies". The firm told BBC North West Tonight that waste was removed daily, a balanced and nutritious menu was served and staff treated residents with respect. (Link for more.) (Full story on link.)
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o Fri. 11th November: segment on the BBC's Look North about asylum hotels: view here.
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o Wed. 9th November: Manston refugee scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, with North West asylum accommodation dilapidated and overcrowded (The Meteor)
Sunday 6 November saw a crowd gather in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square, calling for the shutting down of the Manston immigration centre in Kent and to demand better treatment of asylum seekers nationwide.
Speakers from various local groups including No Borders Manchester and WAST (Women Asylum Seekers Together) gave passionate speeches in the rain, criticising the government’s treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Eunice, from WAST, who has been through the asylum process herself and now works with refugees, said that she had been very disappointed by the recent comments of Suella Braverman. The current Home Secretary has described the arrival of recent asylum seekers as an “invasion”. (Full story on link.)
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o Wed. 2nd November: Refugees forced to live in squalid conditions at Serco-run hotel (Morning Star):
APPALLING treatment of refugees has been exposed at a hotel run for the Home Office by disgraced security firm Serco. Skin diseases, inedible food and abuse by staff at an unnamed hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has been revealed by refugee support group Refugee & Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research (Rapar) today.
The report also lists rubbish, including medical waste, piled on landings, lack of security and children denied schooling among the problems faced by refugees. The group says complaints and alerts raised via Home Office procedures have been ignored. (Full story on link.)
o Tues. 29th November: Feature on BBC Northwest. Link to video clip. (A link to the piece on the BBC website will follow.)
...............................................................................
o Tues. 29th November: Refugee on 28th day of hunger strike accuses Serco of 'inhuman and degrading treatment' of asylum-seekers (Morning Star
A refugee on the 28th day of a hunger strike has demanded an end to the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of asylum-seekers in hotels run by disgraced security firm Serco.
Backed by a campaigning refugee support group in Manchester, Shay Babagar told an online media conference today that residents suffered poor hygiene, infections, lack of basic toiletries, inadequate food and abuse by staff.
He said he went on hunger strike in desperation on November 2 after complaints were ignored — and will end it only if his demands for change are met.
He said: “I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhuman and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco.”
He also said that after he was hospitalised due to the effects of the hunger strike both he and his wife, who suffers Type 1 diabetes, were arrested in their hospital beds by Greater Manchester Police.
He is currently “sofa surfing” in Manchester at the homes of volunteers from the group backing his demands for action, Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-Seeker Participatory Action Research).
Mr Babagar is seeking political asylum after fleeing Pakistan where he was involved in political activity.
...............................................................................
o Wed. 23rd November: Asylum seeker on hunger strike claims he spent night outside Warrington hotel until ambulance called (ITV news)
An asylum seeker on his 21st day of a hunger strike was forced to spend the night outside a hotel in near-freezing temperatures until emergency services were called, it has been claimed.
"Hasan", not his real name, is on hunger strike in protest against what he calls "inhumane" and "degrading" conditions and mistreatment by staff at a Serco-run hotel in Stockport.
He was taken to hospital at the beginning of November as his health deteriorated during his hunger strike.
After two weeks he claims he was then forcibly discharged and taken by police to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington.
Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Hasan said he and his wife, who has diabetes, "spent hours" at a Greater Manchester Police station before they were taken to another Serco-run hotel in Warrington.
Hasan said his pre-existing serious concerns with Serco accommodation in Stockport meant he was dismayed at being taken to a Warrington hotel run by the company.
In a message sent to ITV News from outside the hotel on Tuesday, 22 November, night he said: "Me and my wife are sitting outside in the open sky in this cold weather.
"We are sitting outside because so many times Serco staff have abused us. We are trying to get justice but we have not got justice. "We refuse to stay in any Serco contingency hotel." (Full story on link.)
...............................................................................
o Thurs. 17th November: Asylum seeker on hunger strike against 'inhumane' treatment at Stockport hotel (ITV news)
An asylum seeker has now gone fifteen days without food as part of a hunger strike against what he calls "inhumane and degrading" treatment by Home Office-contracted staff at a Stockport hotel. Hasan, whose name we have changed, was housed in the hotel - which is run by contractor Serco - by the Home Office. He is one of over 100 asylum seekers at the hotel who are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.
Hasan's condition deteriorated following his hunger strike, and he was taken to hospital. Speaking for the first time, he sent ITV News a video from his hospital bed - via the Manchester charity RAPAR - where he said he felt forced to take action. "I am seeking to end, or at least reduce, the harm caused to my family by the inhumane and degrading treatment to which we and others have been subjected by Serco", he said. "In pursuit of those reasonable aims, I am on hunger strike, accepting only fluids, electrolytes and vitamins, as recommended by my doctors", he added.
Hasan wants his family are rehoused in "reasonable conditions" and has also called for hotel residents' complaints to be resolved. "We residents must not be subjected to any form of retribution if we raise complaints", he added.
Serco strongly rejects the allegations. (Full story and interview with a teenager seeking asylum on the link.)
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o Wed. 16th November: Shocking truth about refugee accommodation (Not the Andrew Marr Show)
Following stories that refugees were living the life of luxury in five star hotels, Crispin Flintoff spoke to Rhetta Moran, co-founder of RAPAR (Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research). (Interview on link)
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o Mon. 14th November: Refugee on 12th day of hunger strike in protest against conditions at Serco-run Home Office accommodation (Morning Star)
(Following RAPAR's press release)
A REFUGEE has been on hunger strike for 12 days in protest at conditions at a Stockport hotel run for the Home Office by disgraced outsourcing firm Serco.
Manchester-based refugee support group Rapar (Refugee and Asylum-seeker Participatory Action Research) reported that it had investigated the hotel and found shocking conditions, including inedible food, skin diseases, abuse by staff and rubbish piled up on landings. Serco and the Home Office denied that such conditions existed, but Stockport Council said that it shared Rapar’s concerns about the hotel. Council leader Mark Hunter said: “The asylum-seekers and Stockport residents are suffering. (Full story on link.)
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o Sat. 12th November: Asylum seekers: Scabies and abuse at Stockport hotel, council claims (The BBC)
Residents at a hotel accommodating asylum seekers faced a scabies outbreak and "inhumane treatment", a council and a charity have claimed. Stockport Council said people were "cooped up" at an unnamed hotel in the town for a number of months, with some residents being treated for scabies.
Human rights charity Rapar said piles of rubbish were left in corridors and insects were found in food. Serco, which runs the hotel, said there were "currently no cases of scabies". The firm told BBC North West Tonight that waste was removed daily, a balanced and nutritious menu was served and staff treated residents with respect. (Link for more.) (Full story on link.)
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o Fri. 11th November: segment on the BBC's Look North about asylum hotels: view here.
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o Wed. 9th November: Manston refugee scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, with North West asylum accommodation dilapidated and overcrowded (The Meteor)
Sunday 6 November saw a crowd gather in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square, calling for the shutting down of the Manston immigration centre in Kent and to demand better treatment of asylum seekers nationwide.
Speakers from various local groups including No Borders Manchester and WAST (Women Asylum Seekers Together) gave passionate speeches in the rain, criticising the government’s treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Eunice, from WAST, who has been through the asylum process herself and now works with refugees, said that she had been very disappointed by the recent comments of Suella Braverman. The current Home Secretary has described the arrival of recent asylum seekers as an “invasion”. (Full story on link.)
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o Wed. 2nd November: Refugees forced to live in squalid conditions at Serco-run hotel (Morning Star):
APPALLING treatment of refugees has been exposed at a hotel run for the Home Office by disgraced security firm Serco. Skin diseases, inedible food and abuse by staff at an unnamed hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has been revealed by refugee support group Refugee & Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research (Rapar) today.
The report also lists rubbish, including medical waste, piled on landings, lack of security and children denied schooling among the problems faced by refugees. The group says complaints and alerts raised via Home Office procedures have been ignored. (Full story on link.)
[HOW TO HELP THE CAMPAIGN]
PLEASE HELP OUR CAMPAIGNMy name is Shay Bebagar Murad
I was on hunger strike for 35 days to highlight the degrading and inhumane conditions and behaviour of Serco staff in the hotels that the Home Office pays them to run. Now, Shay and his wife are “sofa surfing” because they have refused to return to the Serco managed “contingency” hotel where they say they were treated in an inhumane way. Their child is currently staying with a friend. Both RAPAR and the local authority covering the area have expressed deep concerns about conditions at the hotel. We want to help Shay and his family find safety and justice. To do this, we need to raise money, in particular for legal expenses, so that Shay can safely defend himself and his family and assert his rights. I am claiming asylum in the UK because I am a human rights and political activist from Balochistan which is under the control of Pakistan. I’ve been outspoken about the people of Balochistan who are struggling for their rights to self-determination against a ruthless military response from the Pakistani authorities which includes forcibly disappearing and extra-judicially murdering Baloch activists and leaders with impunity. Being aware of my activities, the authorities have pursued my whereabouts to harm me. If returned to Pakistan, I fear I will be killed because of my political beliefs and activities. |
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I am claiming asylum in the UK because I am a human rights and political activist from Balochistan which is under the control of Pakistan. I’ve been outspoken about the people of Balochistan who are struggling for their rights to self-determination against a ruthless military response from the Pakistani authorities which includes forcibly disappearing and extra-judicially murdering Baloch activists and leaders with impunity. Being aware of my activities, the authorities have pursued my whereabouts to harm me. If returned to Pakistan, I fear I will be killed because of my political beliefs and activities.
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How you can help
Crowdfunder: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/raparmcr?utm_term=6ERkPw59d • Send messages of support to [email protected] • Contact us to arrange for a campaign speaker at your group, community, trade union • Pass a trade union motion supporting this campaign • Donate any time by bank transfer or through PayPal Bank transfer: Account number: 10090286 Sort Code: 16-28-14 Please put SSLFJ (Seeking Safety Looking for Justice) as your reference And please share the information on this campaign page widely: Seeking Safety, Looking for Justice: http://www.rapar.co.uk/seeking-safety.html |