RAPAR /// The Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
PRESS RELEASE /// For immediate release

COMPANY FOUND GUILTY OF BREACHING HUMAN RIGHTS MANAGING ASYLUM HOUSING SERVICE IN NORTH WEST

• North West Campaign launch to “Stop Serco” - Public Meeting, Tuesday, 24th July 2012, 6.30pm, Main Hall, Friends' Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS
  

A campaign against the privatisation of the asylum housing service in the North West will be launched in Manchester on Tuesday, July 24th. It  follows last month's  successful UK launch of the Stop Serco campaign in Glasgow.

Campaigners are demanding that the UK Border Agency contract for asylum housing in the UK is withdrawn immediately from Serco and G4S – currently under fire for its catastrophic handling of the Olympics.

Serco, a leading private contractor of public services, was awarded the asylum housing contract for the North West and Scotland. The company runs Yarl's Wood and Colnbrook detention centres and was recently found to be in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights – prohibiting torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment – for shackling a man for eight days. While he was in hospital, the man was restrained by either ratchet cuffs or closet chains (handcuffs at the end of a chain attached to a security officer) – even while showering, using the toilet, during medical consultations and treatment, and when he was asleep.

Serco is taking over the management of an increasing number of public services in the UK (it runs Manchester Aquatics Centre) and is frequently accused of prioritising profit over quality of service.  This week, the company was found to have failed to meet its legal requirements to provide sufficient staff, training and monitoring for an out of hours GP service it runs in Cornwall.

The company, which has been the subject of many claims of abuse and assault by people seeking asylum held in Yarl's Wood and Colnbrook, says it has a non eviction policy.  But the implementation of Serco's contract in Scotland has already led to the proposed eviction into destitution of 83 people. In the North West, Serco is setting ridiculous timescales for the transition phase of their new housing contract: 10 days for single people and 14 days for families.

Speakers at Tuesday's meeting in Manchester include Glasgow Welcomes Refugees, the No to G4S campaign, and trade unionists fighting against privatisation and the cuts in public services.

For more information:  Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07812471047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 24th July, 6:30pm. Main Hall, Friends' Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS. All welcome. Click here for map. Download flyer here, or see below.

Felicity Lawrence, Guardian (see article here)

Serco, a leading private contractor of public services, is failing to meet legal requirements to provide enough staff, train them properly or monitor their performance in the out-of-hours GP service it runs for the NHS in Cornwall.

The company has been given 14 days by the health regulator, the Care Quality Commission, to come up with a plan to right the failures, which are highlighted in a damning report on Serco's operation in the south-west.

The CQC judgment comes as the role of private contractors is under renewed scrutiny following G4S's failure to recruit enough security staff for the Olympics, and as large numbers of NHS contracts are being put out to tender.

A Guardian investigation in May uncovered a string of serious allegations over Serco's service in Cornwall, made by whistleblowers who said the service was repeatedly so short-staffed as to compromise patient safety and who claimed Serco management manipulated data to suggest it met targets it had in fact failed to meet.

Serco acknowledged that it had not met legal standards at the time of the CQC inspection but said it had already made progress in correcting shortcomings. "We are confident that we will be able to fully satisfy the CQC that we are meeting all of the standards required when they next visit the service," it said.

CQC inspectors, who made a series of unannounced visits to the service in April after persistent complaints from staff and local MPs, found Serco was failing to meet four of the mandatory standards for quality and safety. Their final report says the company has not provided enough qualified, skilled staff to meet patients' needs, although it stops short of finding the service unsafe. A quarter of staff had not completed mandatory training. In addition, mandatory standards to protect vulnerable adults and children using the service from abuse were not being met.

The regulator also found that Serco failed to meet the legal requirement to have an effective system of monitoring its performance. Inspectors confirmed whistleblowers' concerns over the accuracy of Serco's performance data. When they looked at a small sample of data, they found two examples of calls from patients where targets had not been met but which had been wrongly classified as achieving targets.

They also found that a manager routinely altered daily performance reports on targets, correcting individual records which suggested the service was failing if the entry was known to be incorrect. They did not however find evidence that the figures had been deliberately alterered to enhance performance. Inspectors instead found that there were unresolved problems with the computer system dating back four years, a situation they said was "puzzling".

The regulator's report concluded that one of the failures was minor while the three other had a moderate impact on patients.

Ian Biggs, CQC deputy director in the south, said: "At least half a million people depend n ths service, so it's vital it's proeprly staffed. At times Serco has not had enough doctors on duty. Quite clearly the system of monitoring performance is unreliable." He added that it was possible that Serco had overstated its performance in its results. The CQC said it was not policy to impose any fines on failing services at this stage. It will conduct further unannounced visits to see if Serco complies with the law in coming weeks.

Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, who reported the Serco service to the CQC, said he felt vindicated by the report, but remained concerned that the data manipulation issue had not been fully resolved. The integrity of data was vital to claims made by private companies to commissioners of services or to win other contracts. "It seems records were only manipulated in favour of Serco's interests. Although the CQC says that it did not find evidence of deliberate alteration of data, neither did it find evidence that it was not deliberately altered. The CQC simply does not have the forensic remit or capacity to prove or disprove such a point.

"This potentially raises serious questions about the future of the NHS reforms the Government is keen to roll out. In my view, commissioners can trust public sector providers to be less likely to undermine the integrity of data."

The commissioner of the privatised Cornwall service, the county's Primary Care NHS Trust, had given Serco a clean bill of health in its own audit carried out earlier this year in response to concerns. It confirmed that it was now conducting a more thorough review of the service, prompted by the Guardian revelations and the CQC report, which would look specifically at whether performance data had been manipulated. It told us however that it had not relied on Serco's adjusted management reports in monitoring the company's performance.

Dr Shelagh McCormick, medical director of the county's primary care trust, said: "Our primary concern is our patients and it is important they feel confident about local services. It is worrying for everyone when a provider fails to meet essential standards but we are already working with Serco to ensure they address everything that has been raised by the CQC."

Paul Forden, managing director of serco's clinical services, said: "Patient safety and wellbeing is our first priority. We have taken and will continue to take any criticisms extremely seriously and we have fully co-operated with the CQC in their investigation. We are confident that we will be able to fully satisfy the CQC that we are meeting all of the standards required when they next visit the service."

The failings in the privatised service come at a delicate time for the coalition government as it presses ahead with a policy that requires all 52 newly-formed PCT clusters in England to identify at least three of their community services to put out to competitive tender this year in a process that will lead to a rapid increase in private sector involvement in the NHS.

Serco, which generated revenue of £4.6bn in 2011, is likely to bid for many more of the NHS contracts.

The Department of Health said: "All providers of care must ensure they meet the highest standards. The local NHS has a legal responsibility to ensure a high quality out of hours service for their local population. Serco must now take action to ensure they comply with CQC standards."

Update; see earlier posts here and here

Bernard Mboueyeu - Won't fly Today, Due to Serious Self-Harm
Bernard remains in the health care centre at Campsfield IRC this morning.  Terrified of removal, he drank an amount of  'cleaning fluid' last night. This is the second time that Bernard has done so. More updates to follow when known.

For background see earlier news post here.
See article and video by web journalist/blogger Marishka VS here

UPDATE ON BERNARD MBOUEYEU: URGENT ACTION NEEDED. PLEASE EMAIL AIR FRANCE AND EASYJET NOW

Bernard Mboueyeu is a national of Cameroon who lives in Sheffield with his family. He is currently in immigration detention and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday, 16th July, at 06:00 hrs on EasyJet flight U2431 from London/Luton to Paris Charles de Gaulle and, from there, on Air France flight AF900 at 13:50 hrs to Yaounde, Cameroon.

Bernard sought asylum in the UK after he was arrested, imprisoned and beaten for taking photographs of anti-government student protests in Southern Cameroon. He was working as a photo journalist for a local newspaper at the time.

He is still wanted by police in Cameroon and faces grave danger if he is returned. While living in Sheffield, he met and married his wife Sharon, a charity worker, and plays a big part in the care of her young grandchildren who have been devastated by his detention.

Please email Alexandre de Juniac, chief executive at  Air France (a supporter in Sheffield has put together a model letter in French - see below with Air France email addresses) or send a message to the airline via Facebook or Twitter urging them not to fly Bernard to Cameroon. Their phone number is 00 339 6939 1030 and fax is 00 333 4414 4479.
You can also email EasyJet:

Customer Service: easyjet@mailnj.custhelp.com 
Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive Officer, Easy Jet,  Carolyn.McCall@easyJet.com
Phone: 0158 244 3330 
Fax 0158 244 3355.

Ask them not to assist with the forced removal of Bernard Mboueyeu on flight U2431 at 06:00 hrs from London/Luton to Paris Charles de Gaulle for onward transit to Cameroon.

IF YOU CAN ONLY DO ONE THING, PLEASE EMAIL AIR FRANCE
And please let us know of any actions taken.
Thank you,Kath
Kath Grant - RAPAR
kath.northernstories@googlemail.com


to mail to all of:
mail.afc@airfrance.fr / mail.fondationaf@airfrance.fr / hehourcade@airfrance.fr

Alexandre de Juniac
Président-directeur général Air France

Monsieur,

Bernard Mboueyeu et un demandeur d’asile camerounais au Royaume-Uni. 

Il sera expulsé par UKBA sur les vols U2431 (easyJet) de Londres Luton à CDG et AF900 de CDG à Yaounde le lundi prochain 16 Juillet.

M. Mboueyeu s’enfuit du Cameroun en 2007. ll à été persécuté  par les forces de sécurité du président Biya, pour prendre des photos des étudiants brutalement attaqués au cours des manifestations en 2006. Il travaillait pour un journal au Sud du Cameroun à l'époque. Il a été arrêté, mis à nu, battu et détenu pendant quarante jours. Il a aussi été persécuté par les autorités pour aider un groupe politique opposé au régime brutal.

M. Mboueyeu est marié à unde Britannique depuis 2010 et il ne doit pas être expulsé de force loin de sa femme. La législation sur les droits de l’homme protège le droit à la vie de famille.  Les jeunes enfants de sa femme aiment M. Mboueyeu trés bien. Ils seraient dévastés de le perdre.

UKBA ne garantit pas le retour en toute sécurité du Cameroun pour Bernard s’il se rend au Cameroun et demande un visa pour conjoint de là.   Les gardes de sécurité de M. Mboueyeu, occupés par UKBA, utiliseront la force à bord de votre avion.  Je vous prie de ne pas prendre part à ça. Je tiens Air France en haute estime. 

Merci.

Je vous prie d´agréer, Monsieur, l´expression de ma considération distinguée.

The most effective way to reach Air France: jcspinetta@airfrance.fr, 

Att: Jean-Cyril Spinetta Chief Executive Officer Air France. Email:  jcspinetta@airfrance.fr Phone: 00 339 6939 1030   Fax:   00 333 4414  4479

Second Attempt to Separate Bernard from Sharon
  
Bernard Mboueyeu is a national of Cameroon and a resident of Sheffield where he lives with his family. He is currently in immigration detention and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday  16th July 2012 on EasyJet flight U2431 @ 06:00 hrs from London/Luton to Paris Charles de Gaulle for onward transit on Air France flight AF900 from Paris Charles de Gaulle 13:50 hrs, to Yaounde, Cameroon.
 
Full background here . . . . .
 
Family friends and Sheffield Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers (CDAS) are campaigning to keep Bernard in the UK
 
What you can do to help
Bernard & Kath feel that Air France should be the main target.
Please let the campaign know of any actions taken,
Kath Grant: < kath.northernstories@googlemail.com >
Bernard Mboueyeu:  < mboueyeualain@live.co.uk>
  
1) Email/fax/phone, Carolyn McCall Chief Executive Officer EasyJet and urge her not to carry out the forced removal of Bernard Mboueyeu. You can copy, amend or write your own version - please quote,  Bernard Mboueyeu due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday  16th July 2012 on EasyJet flight U2431, @ 06:00 hrs from London/Luton to Paris Charles de Gaulle for onward transit to Cameroon.

Customer Service: easyjet@mailnj.custhelp.com
Carolyn McCall email: Carolyn.McCall@easyJet.com 
Phone: 0158 244 3330
Fax: 0158 244 3355
 
2)    Please fax/phone/Email, Jean-Cyril Spinetta , CEO, Air France and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Bernard Mboueyeu - on Air France flight AF900 from Paris Charles de Gaulle, to Yaounde, Cameroon on Monday 16th July 2012 @ 13:50 hrs. 
 
Jean-Cyril Spinetta   Chief Executive Officer  Air France 
Email:  jcspinetta@airfrance.fr   Attn: Jean-Cyril Spinetta 
Phone: 00 339 6939 1030   Fax:    00 333 4414  4479
 
3) Email/Faxing Theresa May, Home Secretary
Ask her to exercise her discretionary powers to stay the removal and release Bernard Mboueyeu from detention and to grant him protection in the UK. Model letter, BernardMboueyeu TM.doc attached or alternatively write your own one. Please remember to quote Bernard's Home Office Reference number D1142549 in any correspondence.

Rt. Hon Theresa May, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office,
2 Marsham St
London SW1 4DF
Fax: 020 7035 4745

Emails:
mayt@parliament.uk
Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
pscorrespondence@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
"CIT - Treat Official" < CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk >


(Info: John O - http://www.no-deportations.org.uk/index.html)

Update 13/07/12: The Sudanese people are revolting against a religious military dictatorship with an abominable human rights record. Come and give support. A Vigil/Gathering: Saturday 14th July, 12.00 - 16:00, All Saints, Oxford Road, Manchester. (See here for map.) Music/Food/Shows

On June 30, 2012 almost 1000 Sudanese people including representatives from at least eight organisations walked from Lancaster Gate to Downing Street. There they delivered a letter asking the Prime Minister to take more assertive action towards the Government of Sudan to ensure humanitarian access into all areas affected by conflict. 
The walk to Downing Street was supported by people from all regions of Sudan. It coincided with an international day of action following recent anti-government protests in Khartoum; the 30 June marks the 23rd anniversary of President al-Bashir taking power in Sudan. 
The Sudan government has vowed to crack down on protests in the country and many activists have been detained. The protests began with students using the #SudanRevolts hashtag on Twitter.@Moodizz wrote on twitter: “The most beautiful thing about London protest is that everyone is united.”Many walked the 6km to Downing Street barefoot in a symbol of solidarity with the hundreds of people who are fleeing Sudan on foot every week. This event was also supported by presence of Baroness Cox.
Aerial bombardment and ground fighting in the last year have caused half a million people to be displaced from South Kordofan,Eastern Sudan (Nuba Mountains) and Blue Nile State with over 200,000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries. The conflict has also caused the loss of land, a failed harvest, and the destruction of properties. 
Humanitarian access and assistance to the two areas has been denied by the Government of Sudan since the beginning of the conflict. Many of those displaced survive today by eating leaves and wild fruits, without clean water or medicine, hiding in caves and forests; an increasing number of them do not survive. 
Meanwhile, 2.5 million people remain displaced from their homes in Darfur and 300,000 are living as refugees in Chad. An escalation in violence in Darfur, blocking of humanitarian aid and denial of visas to humanitarian organisations mean many civilian lives are at risk.