Theatre for Social Justice

We are excited to see that other asylum seekers are using theatre to speak out, claim dignity for themselves and to try and change the unjust destitution laws so there is equality and justice. 

Bristol Refugee Rights theatre group are creating a theatre show which will give audiences a glimpse in to what it is like to leave their country of origin, to journey 1000's of miles with the dream of finding safety, only to arrive and find destitution and discrimination. If you aren't sure about going on the march because you don't understand the problems, then go see this performance on 20th June first.


Theatre: Listen to Our Story
Thursday 20th June, 7pm, acta Centre

An original play by asylum seekers and refugees living in Bristol.

On the long road to having their genuine claim for asylum recognised, they meet many hardships, of a different kind to those they knew at home, but sometimes almost as difficult to bear. 

They tell their story with warmth, humour and dignity, leaving audiences laughing, sad and moved to act.

This play is written and performed by members of Bristol Refugee Rights, from their own direct experience, and is part of the growing national campaign to end the forced destitution of asylum seekers.

At the Acta Centre, Bedminster www.acta-bristol.com
You can also see the show on Monday 8th July as part of acta’s Get Together festival.

Visit to Cardiff

A group of us visited Woman Seeking Sanctuary Group in Cardiff to tell them about our campaigning history, what we have achieved so far, how we have done it and to invite them to join us in the next step - a national day of asylum seekers taking action against destitution.

Amie spoke about how when she got involved in Bristol Refugee Rights she was so shy and didn't dare speak out about what was happening but with lots of support, she began to take part in events where she told lots of people what it is like to live without anything - no rights to work, to housing, to a normal life.

Manesh spoke about how he started being allowed to go to college and how it was so important for him to learn to read and write in english. Then they turned round and told him he couldn't. He wanted to change this situation and so spoke out at a protest to stop cuts to english classes. from here he got more and more confident to take part in campaigning.

People listened attentively. They began to ask questions - aren't you scared that home office will punish you for speaking out and that it will jeapordise your case?

We were, but not any more. We know we have a lot of support and feel stronger because of this. We know people will speak out if the Home Office tries to deport any of us.

What is destitution?

We all know the central and local government know asylum seekers problems, but we went there to campaign and sleep outside in the freezing weather to make it visible to the public, and to say we were not poor and didn't come here because of money or to find a better job.

We fled from our country and left behind our family and friends and possessions just to be safe, but this government disbelieve us and doesn't treat us as humans and has left us in limbo.

We want to change the unjust laws for the Asylum seekers.

Being destitute and not stable is not only about food or no place to stay, it causes other problems, like intellectual problems and depression and mental health problems. It makes people lonely and unable to be part of society.

manesh

Snow!

We all are happy of having snow and thanks GOD and enjoy... and also let all of us pray for everyone who is destitute that they can find a place with friends and supporters and be warm and safe

 x manesh

Speaking to the council

To sit next to Father Richard from St Nicholas church in the council chamber gave me a positive feeling and I felt peaceful when I spoke. My speech was not perfect, but I was happy to talk there because we are right and just looking for the human rights and to challenge the unjust laws. Thanks to the people and councillors who supported us to make this happen. x manesh

Dignity for asylum seekers

A few months after the start of the movement and amazingly asylum seekers attended many different ceremonies and events, like Refugee week, City of sanctuary, Radio, TV. We've have protests that were well attended by supporters and asylum seekers and then Ibrahim's beautiful movement and the strike against homelessness and rising confidence in them, so let's continue the challenge and be optimistic of the future.
Manesh

"I'll sew up my eyes and mouth": Ibrahim in Bristol Post

Recent coverage about the petition and Ibrahim's situation in the Bristol Post. We are presenting the petition statement to the council at 5:30pm today, please come to college green and join us. (More info)

"I'll sew up my eyes and mouth": asylum seeker | This is Bristol: 


A FAILED asylum seeker has spent the past three weeks sleeping rough on College Green in protest – and threatened to sew his eyes and mouth shut to get his point across.


Ibrahim Moulkaf, 43, had to flee Algeria in 2009 after writing a book criticising the government and violent behaviour of Islamic fundamentalists and promoting peace.


The publication of Democracy in the Arab and Islamic World in France led to hard line Islamic militants starting a hate campaign against him.


They preached in Mosques about him, he received death threats, beatings in the street and his home was raided. He fled to England and applied for asylum but has continually been denied residence preventing him from gaining access to work, education or benefits.


He says he decided to apply to voluntarily return to Algeria, despite the risks, but permission was refused because a travel document could not be obtained for him.

Mr Moulkaf said he had now decided to voluntarily sleep rough on College Green to protest at his position.


"I sleep on the grass unless it is raining and then I shelter either under the council building or in a shop entrance," Mr Moulkaf told the Post.


"I had been staying in a house but I have come out here in protest because my appeals for asylum have been continually denied. It is hard and I am very tired.

"It is important because this is not just about me it is about the many other, more than 100 asylum seekers, sleeping on the streets in Bristol."

Paulette North, of the Respect Party, has started a petition and is submitting a motion at Bristol City Council's cabinet meeting tomorrow entitled: "We urge Bristol City Council to follow the example of Glasgow City Council."..... Read rest of the article 

My life waiting....

My name is Esam. I am from Iraq. I am Kurdish. I would like to share my experiences with you.

I have been in the UK for 5 years, since November 2007. My case has been refused by the home office and I am really living with a lot of stress and feeling sad, because I can't go back to my country as it is too unsafe for me, there is still a risk for my life. 

In 2011 the UK home office decided not to send people back to Iraq, because it is unsafe. This is based on rule 39 from the European Court of Human Rights. 

We asylum seekers live a hard life without housing or benefits and also we have no right to work to improve our lives or rent a house. We can't pay for our study to improve our English, which we need in our daily lives. When I go anywhere, they ask me for Home Office letter which I haven't got or leave to remain. I hope the Home Office change their decisions about asylum seekers like me and let us start our lives here as I can not live there because my life was in risk. This is why I fled and came here. I claimed asylum to find a place of safety and peace.

At the moment I volunteer at Bristol Refugee Rights, Bristol Hospitality Network and the Tuesday Drop-in group in St Nicholas Church. I am a chef, so I do lot of cooking. I also made a film and sometimes I do interpreting, as best I can. 

I hope they stop the signing at the police station as it makes me feel I am not safe from detention and also deportation. We need people in Bristol from different organisations to support us and help us to survive in the hard life I and other asylum seekers have in the UK.

I am waiting for your help and support. Thank you very much for giving me your time to read my short article.