Immigration & Asylum Bill – License to Rape
Report of Briefing Meeting for MPs held in House of Commons 25 May 1999

A delegation of rape survivors, advocates and campaigners briefed MPs on the devastating impact the Immigration & Asylum Bill would have on women and children fleeing rape and other violence. The delegation from Black Women’s Rape Action Project and Women Against Rape was hosted by Neil Gerrard MP during the Lobby of Parliament called by the Coalition for Asylum & Immigration Rights and National Assembly Against Racism. 

Rape survivors who were tortured and persecuted because of their political activities against military dictatorships and other brutal regimes in Africa, spoke movingly about how rather than finding refuge in Britain, their trauma had been compounded by hostile and dismissive treatment from the immigration authorities. They described the horrors of living on vouchers which allows no money for basic necessities such as nappies and medicines, and of being detained for months after arrival. Some women could not attend because they had no money for the bus fare, or even to phone their MP. A BWRAP spokeswoman described how the sexism and racism throughout the asylum process is a continuation of what Black and immigrant women already face in Britain. 

Sonali Naik, chair of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, reported that MP Keith Vaz's reaction to their submissions was to deny the Bill was an attack on all Black people. Stephanie Harrison, a barrister with many years experience representing refugees, confirmed how badly asylum seekers are treated throughout the immigration process, and criticised MPs who built their reputations on anti-racism but failed to oppose a Bill which fuelled xenophobia. The audience was clear that the Bill affects us all especially at a time when multi-racial and minority communities are being bombed by the extreme right. Challenged by Legal Action for Women about the total silence on the Bill from women MPs, Welsh MP Julie Morgan had to acknowledge that despite so many women in Parliament, women's interests are not being represented. After hearing women's testimony, she promised to challenge the Bill, and to press other women MPs to hear first-hand from those most affected.

MPs were strongly urged to join the growing opposition to the Bill from churches, organisations representing refugees, Black and anti-racist groups, children's charities and lawyers and to vote against it when it returns to Parliament after Whitsun. 

BWRAP and WAR welcome support for their campaign, and are circulating an endorsement letter condemning the Bill which has already been signed by many organisations.

Endorsement letter

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