Nasionale Vaders Dag nagwaak

United vigils make a mark across UK

On 17th June 2012 people gathered at peaceful vigils to remember fathers that have died in police, die tronk, mental health and immigration detention.

These nationally organised peaceful vigils took place simultaneously in Manchester, Birmingham, Sentraal-Londen, Brixton, Tottenham, Sheffield, Slough, High Wycombe en 'n aantal ander plekke regoor die land.

Tippa Náftali, Mikey Powell veldtog & 4WardEver UK het gesê; “These deaths have just got to stop. Familie veldtog nodig het om sake te neem in ons hande in 'n wyse wat meer ongekende as enigiets gesien voor. Ons moet intelligent en samewerkende antwoorde aan te neem, werk met 'n enkele visie en strategie”.

Die Onafhanklike Advisory Panel on Sterftes in aanhouding verslag gepubliseer in 2011 stated: in totaal, was daar 5,998 sterftes aangeteken vir die 11 jaar vanaf 2000 aan 2010. Dit is 'n gemiddeld van 545 sterftes per jaar.

'N UFFC campaign spokesperson said;

“Ten spyte van die feit daar is 11 onwettige moord uitspraak sedert 1990 daar was nog nooit 'n suksesvolle vervolging.

“Our joint efforts have yielded some results. The police self-investigation of deaths was replaced by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman now investigates deaths in prison and immigration detention. The Attorney General was forced to undergo a review of the role of the Crown Prosecution Service, and corporate manslaughter laws are now extended to custody deaths.

“Egter, these reforms have not addressed the lack of justice in outstanding cases. We believe that equitable dispensation justice in the UK must be done and be seen to be done if the general public are to enjoy high levels of trust and confidence in the fair administration of justice.

“The poor quality and speed of independent investigations conducted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and an Inquest process that is seriously under resourced, subject to delay and limited in remit and is not fit for purpose. Both critically fail to protect or support the rights of victims or their families”.

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Some words from vigil organisers and participants:

Wesley Ahmed (Manchester)

The vigil went very well. We had around 150-200 people attend. We started off in Piccadilly Gardens with a singer/song writer Claire Mooney who did a couple of songs dedicated to Anthony’s family, then Marina Anthony’s mum got up and did a very emotional speech which touched everybody’s heart. Janet Alder came and spoke about her fight for justice over Christopher’s death.

We had a 2 minute silence for everyone who have lost their lives by the Police / Staat. We held their names up on pieces of paper who have died by the hands of the police, Habib Paps, Christopher Els, Mark Duggan, Sean Rigg, Ricky Biskop, Ian Tomlinson just to name a few.

We then had a peaceful march down to Bootle Street Police Station, Manchester and stood outside with our banners chanting NO JUSTICE, Geen vrede.

We hope the other campaigns vigils went well and we would like to say a big thank you for all their support.We are now one family, we do not just fight for justice for one, we fight justice for ALL.

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