News archive for 2006
-
Rock star donates £5,000 to MF
When the global rock star Skin first visited the MF's adolescent group she was moved by the passion and enthusiasm that welcomed her. She has since gone on to raise £5,000 for the organisation while on tour through merchandise sales.
-
Conviction of medics is a betrayal of Europe's anti-torture commitment
The MF has called on European governments to condemn the death sentence handed out to six foreign medics in Libya whose retrial was based on confessions extracted under torture. Reiterating its objection to the UK's policy of returning terror suspects to Libya, the organisation says the sentence is a betrayal of Europe's anti-torture commitment.
-
Death of Pinochet is Regrettable
The fact that Augusto Pinochet, who has died, will now not face a court of law to answer for the murderous activities of his regime is regrettable, says the MF.
-
Lawyers urged to address inequalities in health care for torture survivors
The inequalities in health care for torture survivors provided the focus of an MF talk to a leading national human rights forum which aims to raise awareness among lawyers working with asylum seekers.
-
Authors inspire fans to dig deep
Some of the UK's most reputable writers gave their fans a glimpse of their own inspirations at what has become a regular event on the literary calendar.
-
Retraining of criminal investigators could help to combat torture in Brazil
MF advises Brazilian forensic experts on tackling torture by state agents
-
Lord Chief Justice Rules In Favour of Asylum Seekers Convicted of Passport Offences
Asylum seekers who have been convicted of arriving in the UK without a valid passport establishing their identity and nationality can appeal against their sentence following a ruling by the Lord Chief Justice.
-
Compilation benefit album gets national radio air-time
A new compilation album featuring 50 up and coming independent rock artists is helping to raise awareness about the MF by reaching millions of music buffs through Radio 1 and the music media.
-
Appeal Court Highlights Need for Proper Medical Reports on Torture
The importance of doctors presenting evidence of torture in a manner stipulated by international agreement when producing medico-legal reports for use in asylum claims has been highlighted by the Court of Appeal.
-
Directive improves plight of children fleeing persecution
The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture is calling on the government to formally withdraw its long held reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child ( CRC) following a European directive this week that will improve the plight of asylum-seeking children in Britain.
-
MF Calls for an End to Detention of Torture Victims Following Removal Centre Criticism
The Home Office should stop detaining asylum seekers who have survived torture following a damning report into healthcare at a removal centre.
-
Congress-Bush Deal Prompts Fears That "War on Terror" Detainees Face Further Torture
Real fears remain that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) will continue to use techniques amounting to torture against detainees held in the "War on Terror", despite the Bush Administration abandoning its efforts to rewrite the humane treatment requirements of the Geneva Conventions, the Medical Foundation (MF) warns.
-
Confronting harsh truths in a world of magical thinking
Child and adolescent therapists at the MF are using story tales to help young torture survivors confront the horrors of their past. The tale of Hansel and Gretel is familiar to most children, but it also has a sinister side and one that is being used creatively in work with children who have witnessed, suffered and in some cases been forced to inflict extreme violence.
-
Writers reach out to critics and supporters through virtual community
MF clients have helped launch a pioneering online writing community that allows them to interact with a global audience. Material by members of the Write to Life group now appears on a blogging site set up to give asylum seekers and refugees a voice.
-
MF fundraiser is - Simply the Best'
Combining life as a fundraiser and life as a comic has earned Abigail Burdess a place in a list of Britain's 100 unsung heroines.
-
Petition calls for better services for child torture survivors
There are currently an estimated 6,000 unaccompanied children in the UK, most of them aged between 15 and 18. Some of them will have been given a place at a local school, but while their peers go home to the comfort of their families where a ready-prepared meal and a warm bed awaits, many of these children have little more than the blank walls of a bed sit to return to.
-
Billy Bragg calls for system that acknowledges torture survivors as equals
A balanced approach that recognises the plight of torture survivors is essential if Britain is to move forward as a cohesive society, says Billy Bragg, who is pressing for a written constitution that would give equal rights to all British citizens, including asylum seekers.
-
Festival goers pressure government to uphold rights of child torture survivors
People attending Saturday's WOMAD festival are being encouraged to sign up to a petition urging the government to protect young torture survivors, who are frequently neglected by inadequate safeguards.
-
Acclaimed film director praises work of the Medical Foundation
Critically acclaimed film director Ariel Dorfman has praised the Medical Foundation for its ongoing devotion to working with torture survivors during his latest visit to the London centre.
-
Billy Bragg puts human rights at forefront of global music event
Singer-songwriter Billy Bragg speaks up against the use of torture and urges society to take "collective responsibility" for human rights at international festival.