Manjeet Must Stay in the UK!
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About
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News & Updates
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Manjeet Kaur is an Afghan national and current Chair of RAPAR, the human rights organisation based in Manchester.
Since she sought asylum in the UK three years ago, Manjeet has been at the forefront of many campaigns against the government’s unfair asylum policies and practices. During the Conservative Party conference in October 2013, Manjeet was interviewed on ITN’s News At Ten about the impact the Home Secretary’s newly announced immigration legislation would have on people seeking asylum. Support This Campaign!
Manjeet's Story
Manjeet came to this country after she was subjected to a series of threats and attacks following the disappearance of her husband in India in February 2011. Before he disappeared, Amitt Bhatt, a campaigning journalist and Panun Kashmir activist, had been persecuted and attacked as a result of articles and books he had written criticising the Indian government’s policies in Kashmir. Manjeet helped with research and proof-reading for Amitt’s books, 'Lies and Genocide of the Indian Government' (2011) and 'Cryashmir' (2009). Following his disappearance, Manjeet was beaten at her home in Delhi on two occasions by a group of men looking for information about her husband’s whereabouts. They told her if they failed to find him, they would be back to rape and kill her. Manjeet uses a wheelchair due to paralysis resulting from polio and the injuries sustained from these attacks have worsened her condition. The violent assaults were reported to the police in India but no protection was offered to Manjeet, despite increased vulnerability due to her paralysis. Manjeet fled India in March 2011 in fear for her life. She came to the UK to be with family members who live in London because they could offer her the safety and support she needs. When she claimed asylum, Manjeet was housed in Manchester and now has numerous friends and supporters she has met through her work for RAPAR, community and trade union activities, and national disability rights and access to justice campaigns. Despite documents which show that she is from Afghanistan, the Home Office wants to return Manjeet to India where she has already been threatened, and where there is no-one to support her and 90% of the infrastructure is wheelchair inaccessible. She needs to be with her family and friends in the UK. We urge everyone to support the campaign and demand that Manjeet is given asylum here. Manjeet is appealing against the Home Office decision to return her to India. The tribunal date has not yet been set but is likely to be in March and the campaign group will be inviting all supporters to join us in a presence outside the Asylum and Immigration tribunal offices in Moseley Street, Manchester, and inside the court itself. We will circulate the date and time of the tribunal hearing as soon as we have more details. Two and a half years ago, Manjeet successfully fought eviction from her asylum support housing in Whalley Range when the Home Office first turned down her case. With the help of RAPAR, Manjeet contacted community, trade union and disability activists who turned up to her home to prevent her being thrown out onto the streets. Her case was taken up by Trafford MP Kate Green and her story covered by the media. Manjeet’s asylum support was reinstated and, following critical media stories, the rundown block of asylum support flats where she lived was re-decorated and re-furbished. The Home Office initially told Manjeet she had to report weekly at Dallas Court, Salford Quays, despite the fact that she had a manual wheelchair at the time and had to take four buses to get there and back again in all kinds of weather. After a long campaign, Manjeet was finally told she could report to Dallas Court by telephone and her fight set a precedent for all disabled people seeking asylum. Manjeet is a member of Unite’s Manchester Community Branch and her campaign is also backed by the Manchester and Salford branch of the National Union of Journalists which has worked with the International Federation of Journalists in order to establish what happened to Amitt. Together with another member of RAPAR, Manjeet worked with the UK Disabled People’s Council on a Disability Murals project in Bristol. A group of disabled people seeking asylum helped an artist put together a mural portraying their struggles against the asylum system. Copies of the mural have been exhibited throughout the country and Manjeet featured in a film about the project – the title of the film, “I’m An Asylum Seeker, It Changes Everything” is a quote from Manjeet. Please write letters of support to Manjeet's MP, Kate Green!
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Gallery
1/7/2015 - MANJEET KAUR FEATURES IN 'SIX YEARS IN LIMBO'
Six years in limbo: You can´t stop me from dreaming from Angélica Cabezas on Vimeo.
A collaborative film about how people seeking asylum are treated in the UK, through the eyes of two of them... Manjeet from Afganistan and Juwon from Nigeria.
SEE THE FILM: STOP THE EVICTION - MANJEET MUST STAY!
17/10/2014 - HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER AND WHEELCHAIR USER WINS HER HOUSING SUPPORT CASE AGAINST HOME OFFICE
Disabled human rights campaigner Manjeet Kaur has won her case against the Home Office’s attempt to evict her onto the streets... See the full press release.
Disabled human rights campaigner Manjeet Kaur has won her case against the Home Office’s attempt to evict her onto the streets... See the full press release.
14/10/2014 - NEW LEAFLET FOR THURSDAY!
Download here!
09/10/2014 - Resisting Eviction: LOBBY OF ASYLUM SUPPORT HEARING
TIME: 9am- 10am,
DATE: Thursday 16th October
PLACE: Outside AIT (Asylum and Immigration Tribunal), Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Plaza (top of Mount Street just before Piccadilly Gardens), Manchester M1 4AH
BRING: People, banners, placards, messages of support, donations
SEND: People, Messages of support, donations, this information to your networks
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Elizabeth Coleman (Quaker), Pete Kalu (Author), Farid Vahidi (RAPAR Leadership)
INVITED SPEAKERS (TO BE CONFIRMED): Kate Green MP, local councillors, Trade Union reps, Homeless Agency reps, Disability Rights reps.....others who come forward over the next week
ALL MESSAGES/QUESTIONS TO [email protected]
TIME: 9am- 10am,
DATE: Thursday 16th October
PLACE: Outside AIT (Asylum and Immigration Tribunal), Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Plaza (top of Mount Street just before Piccadilly Gardens), Manchester M1 4AH
BRING: People, banners, placards, messages of support, donations
SEND: People, Messages of support, donations, this information to your networks
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Elizabeth Coleman (Quaker), Pete Kalu (Author), Farid Vahidi (RAPAR Leadership)
INVITED SPEAKERS (TO BE CONFIRMED): Kate Green MP, local councillors, Trade Union reps, Homeless Agency reps, Disability Rights reps.....others who come forward over the next week
ALL MESSAGES/QUESTIONS TO [email protected]
09/10/2014 - HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER AND WHEELCHAIR USER APPEALS HOME OFFICE EVICTION DECISION
Manjeet Kaur's supporters to hold lobby outside Appeals Tribunal 9am-10am, Thursday16th October: Outside AIT (Asylum and Immigration Tribunal), Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Plaza (top of Mosley Street just before Piccadilly Gardens), Manchester M1 4AH
See the full press release here...
Manjeet Kaur's supporters to hold lobby outside Appeals Tribunal 9am-10am, Thursday16th October: Outside AIT (Asylum and Immigration Tribunal), Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Plaza (top of Mosley Street just before Piccadilly Gardens), Manchester M1 4AH
See the full press release here...
06/10/2014 - HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER AND WHEELCHAIR USER FIGHTS HOME OFFICE ATTEMPTS TO EVICT HER ONTO THE STREETS
SERCO says she must leave her housing by Thursday, 9th October
SERCO says she must leave her housing by Thursday, 9th October
- Disabled human rights campaigner Manjeet Kaur is resisting Home Office attempts to evict her onto the streets. She has been told she must leave her home in Whalley Range, where she has lived for more than three years, by this Thursday “at the latest.
- Manjeet appeared for RAPAR on national television news during the Conservative Party conference last autumn to counter anti-migrant statements by Home Secretary Theresa May.
- Manjeet, 35, who is Chair of RAPAR, recently lodged a claim with the Court of Appeal on the grounds that the High Court has failed to engage with the facts of her asylum case.
The letter instructed her: “You must now leave your accommodation … by 09/10/14 at the latest.” And it went on: “Should you refuse to leave the property on this date, we will have no choice but to take legal action to evict you.”
Last Friday (03/10/14), Manjeet, who was born in Afghanistan and has used a wheelchair since she was eight years old, was hand delivered an unaddressed and unsigned SERCO letter by the Housing Manager of her accommodation.
Read the full press release here.
02/09/2014 - DISABLED WOMAN SEEKING ASYLUM LODGES APPEAL ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE HIGH COURT HAS FAILED TO ENGAGE WITH THE FACTS OF HER CASE
Read the full press release HERE.
Read the full press release HERE.
06/05/2014 - SAFETY & SECURITY FOR THE FAMILIES OF PERSECUTED JOURNALISTS!
25/02/2014 - NEW TRIBUNAL DATE, 2ND APRIL!
Manjeet's tribunal has been rescheduled for 2nd April 2014. Please join us outside the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Offices at 9.30 AM.
Manjeet's tribunal has been rescheduled for 2nd April 2014. Please join us outside the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Offices at 9.30 AM.
21/02/2014 - MANJEET'S TRIBUNAL ADJOURNED!
Mnajeet's tribunal, which was set for 6th March, has now been adjourned until April- date to be confirmed.
Please watch this page for updates.
Mnajeet's tribunal, which was set for 6th March, has now been adjourned until April- date to be confirmed.
Please watch this page for updates.
11/02/2014 - WRITE TO THERESA MAY AND JAMES BROKENSHIRE IN SUPPORT OF MANJEET!
We ask that you voice your support for Manjeet's asylum claim by writing to Home Secretary, Theresa May, and to the new Minister of Immigration, James Brokenshire.
Model letters can be found here for Theresa May, and here for James Brokenshire.
We ask that you voice your support for Manjeet's asylum claim by writing to Home Secretary, Theresa May, and to the new Minister of Immigration, James Brokenshire.
Model letters can be found here for Theresa May, and here for James Brokenshire.
11/02/2014 - WRITE TO YOUR MP!
Urge your MP to support Kate Green's work she is doing in relation to Manjeet's campaign for asylum.
Model letters are available here.
Urge your MP to support Kate Green's work she is doing in relation to Manjeet's campaign for asylum.
Model letters are available here.
11/02/2014 - PLEASE WRITE TO MANJEET'S MP, KATE GREEN!
We are asking supporters to send a letter to Manjeet's MP, Kate Green, urging her to continue her support of Manjeet's campaign.
Personal letters are prefered, but feel free to download this model letter.
We are asking supporters to send a letter to Manjeet's MP, Kate Green, urging her to continue her support of Manjeet's campaign.
Personal letters are prefered, but feel free to download this model letter.
11/02/2014 - Support RAPAR’S Chair in her fight to remain in the UK!
TRIBUNAL DATE:
Thursday, March 6th 2014
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Offices,
Piccadilly Exchange,
Piccadilly Plaza,
Manchester M1 4AH
(Please Note: Access to the tribunal offices is on Mosley Street)
See the full press release here.
TRIBUNAL DATE:
Thursday, March 6th 2014
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Offices,
Piccadilly Exchange,
Piccadilly Plaza,
Manchester M1 4AH
(Please Note: Access to the tribunal offices is on Mosley Street)
See the full press release here.
03/10/2013 - MANJEET ON ITV NEWS!
At the Conservative party conference, the Home Secretary announced a wave of new legislation that will have a terrible affect for asylum seekers and their quest for safety and justice. On ITV news, Manjeet responded to the government's latest attack on people seeking asylum.
At the Conservative party conference, the Home Secretary announced a wave of new legislation that will have a terrible affect for asylum seekers and their quest for safety and justice. On ITV news, Manjeet responded to the government's latest attack on people seeking asylum.
15/06/2013 - ARRIVALS
Manjeet features in the work 'Arrivals', an installation by student of Interactive Arts and RAPAR volunteer, Sophie Gardiner, as part of the Manchester School of Art degree show, 2013.
Manjeet features in the work 'Arrivals', an installation by student of Interactive Arts and RAPAR volunteer, Sophie Gardiner, as part of the Manchester School of Art degree show, 2013.
17/05/2013 - I'M AN ASYLUM SEEKER, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING...
Manjeet features in the film by Disability Murals, 'I'm an asylum seeker, it changes everything', surrounding her participation in the Bristol mural and her struggles in the asylum system.
Manjeet features in the film by Disability Murals, 'I'm an asylum seeker, it changes everything', surrounding her participation in the Bristol mural and her struggles in the asylum system.
23/03/2012 - DISABILITY MURALS!
Manjeet and fellow RAPAR member, Mary Adenugba took part in Bristol's Disability Murals at the Bear Pit.
More information about Disability Murals can be found here.
Manjeet and fellow RAPAR member, Mary Adenugba took part in Bristol's Disability Murals at the Bear Pit.
More information about Disability Murals can be found here.
22/03/2012 - BREAKTHROUGH!
Manjeet is able to do voice reporting after UKBA installed the landline at her home. She won't have to go there pushing her wheelchair in extreme weather conditions and can report from home.
Manjeet is able to do voice reporting after UKBA installed the landline at her home. She won't have to go there pushing her wheelchair in extreme weather conditions and can report from home.
25/01/2012 - TODAY, MANJEET HAS BEEN IN FORMED THAT SHE WILL BE ABLE TO REPORT TO DALLAS COURT REPORTING CENTRE BY PHONE, INSTEAD OF BEING EXPOSED TO DISCRIMINATION AND RISKING LIFE AND LIMB IN ICE AND SNOW IN A WHEELCHAIR EVERY TIME SHE IS SCHEDULED TO REPORT.
Watch the video about Manjeet's journey:
Watch the video about Manjeet's journey:
This is a victory for every disabled person who is seeking asylum and who uses a wheelchair!
19/12/2011 - ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS SECURING MANJEET'S SAFETY TAKEN TODAY

_Manjeet with her lawyer and some of her supporters outside the courts just before her judicial review hearing. At
the hearing, Manjeet won the right to appeal from within the UK ... a
deeply significant step forward on her road to justice...thank you to
everyone who made it to the courts on the day - and everyone who has supported us on this journey so far.
08/12/2011 - PRESS RELEASE!
Disabled woman seeking asylum takes case to High Court
06/12/2011 - SOLIDARITY VIGIL! 19/12/11 - see flyer below
For a printable copy of the flyer below choose one of these: .pdf / Word
For the information online in plain text go to this link.
Disabled woman seeking asylum takes case to High Court
06/12/2011 - SOLIDARITY VIGIL! 19/12/11 - see flyer below
For a printable copy of the flyer below choose one of these: .pdf / Word
For the information online in plain text go to this link.