UK: demonstration to close down Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre

This video from Britain says about itself:

A group of activists went to GEO’s UK headquarters in Reading to make a lot of noise about GEO running Campsfield detention centre just outside Oxford.

From London daily News Line:

Wednesday, 16 November 2005

‘CLOSE DOWN CAMPSFIELD! – 12 years too long’

‘Close Down Campsfield – 12 years Too Long!’, declared campaigners yesterday.

They were announcing a national demonstration outside the Immigration Removal Centre’s main gates on Saturday 26th November 2005.

Close Campsfield Campaign demonstrators will be assembling at 12 noon, in Langford Lane, Kidlington near Oxford.

Speakers will include former detainees Patricia Mukandara, Mafungasei Maikokera and Philip Shamamba: Jean-Louis N’Tadi, playwright; and Dave Renton of the NATFHE trade union.

In a statement, Close Campsfield Campaign said yesterday: ‘The first detainees were bussed into Campsfield in late November 1993.

‘The centre is run for profit by GSL (Global Solutions Limited) and since 1993 over ten thousand people have been imprisoned here, most of them seeking asylum as is their right, none of them charged with a crime.

‘They may be held for an indefinite period.

This injustice is an injury to all – detainees and people of Oxfordshire.

‘The UK leads Europe in the harshness and inhumanity of its immigration detentions, their number, duration and lack of judicial oversight.

‘Local people have demanded that Campsfield should be closed since its inception.

‘This demand is supported by Oxford Trades Union Council, trade union branches, local Green, Labour and Lib-Dem parties, and the Councils of Oxford City, Oxfordshire County Council and Kidlington Parish.

‘Come along on 26th November and add your voice!

‘There will be an open meeting of the Barbed Wire Britain network of anti detention groups, in Exeter Hall, Kidlington, 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Food will be provided.’

Campsfield looks rather similar to Schiphol East in The Netherlands.

Yarl’s Wood in Britain: here.

Update May 2007: here.