Reactions to the whistle-blowing of Louise Perrett have continued, the Cross Party Group on Human Rights at the Welsh Assembly recently had Louise give a talk on her experiences. This has led to Bethan Jenkins AM to call for an investigation into UKBA racism whilst demanding:

“a halt to any deportations planned as a consequence of the casework completed at the Cardiff office”.

Now Refugee Voice Wales has called a demonstration outside the UK Border Agency offices, 31-33 Newport Road, Cardiff on Friday 26th February between 1pm and 3pm.

In the call out they state:

“We are calling for an immediate stop to consistent racial abuse and harassment of asylum seekers by the UKBA staff. We demand:

  • that all cases dealt by unscrupulous officers be reviewed
  • immediate suspension of all removals / deportations
  • the suspension of all corrupt staff and their supervisors
  • an instant independent overhaul of the whole system at Cardiff UKBA
  • An independent inquiry into all UKBA offices to uphold the Refugee Convention

Tell everyone you know to come! Come play your part to create freedom. If you have BLACK GLOVES please wear them on the day for the freedom salute! Come let’s have a mass toyi-toyi (African War dance for freedom and equality). This is a mockery to the inclusion and integration policies so encouraged by the Welsh Assembly.”

Despite not agreeing with the implication that the problem is “unscrupulous officers” and “corrupt staff”, we fully support this call out. The role of senior management suggests that the culture of disbelief and discrimination stretches way beyond the Cardiff office. What is required is a total overhaul of the entire UK Border Agency and fundamental reappraisal of immigration policy. Any attempts to remove ‘a few bad apples’ will be of little effect because the barrel itself is rotten to the core.