Attempted Suicide By Iranian Asylum Seeker Debbie Grue • September 3, 2003 Dear comrades at the Blanket, I send below details regarding the attempted suicide of Israfel. There are alarming numbers of destitute asylum seekers in Britain. Regulalry, the papers carry tiny articles of suicides from asylum seekers, who have no other way out of their predicament. Keep up the good work. Thanks to you I am trying to keep up to date with events in Ireland. Debbie Grue MANCHESTER COMMITTEE TO DEFEND ASYLUM SEEKERS STATEMENT ON SUICIDE ATTEMPT BY ISRAFEL SHIRI We are horrified by the hidden plight of Iranian asylum seekers in this country, now made so visible by the shocking suicide attempt of the young homeless man Israfel who set fire to himself in Manchester last week. Israfel, who suffers from a serious medical condition, has been refused medical treatment, housing, benefits and the right to work for over a year. He fled Iran several years ago to escape political persecution and before the incident last week he told his friend he was terrified of being sent back to Iran and had lost all hope of a decent existence in Britain. He is now in intensive care at Wythenshawe Hospital suffering from 70 degree burns. We understand that there are many other Iranians who are destitute and living in fear of deportation in this country and we demand that local politicians meet with the Iranian Asylum Seeking and Refugee community in Greater Manchester to discuss this situation and take measures to prevent similar tragedies taking place in the future. NOTE: Many others Iranian Asylum Seekers are in a similar destitue situation and considering similar action - we want to prevent this. If you can help and support this statement, in particular people with positions in Unions, Political Groups, community groups, and faith groups, to put pressure on MPs like Hazel Blears (the MP for where Israfel last had a home), please either post to MCDAS [400 Cheetham Hill Rd Manchester M8 9LE] or email to Margaret Manning ASAP.                                               Index: Current Articles + Latest News and Views + Book Reviews + Letters + Archives

All censorships exist to prevent any one from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently the first condition of progress is the removal of censorships. - George Bernard Shaw Printer Friendly Index: Current Articles 4 September 2003   Other Articles From This Issue:   US Denies It Gave Safe Harbor to Brian Nelson Fr Sean Mc Manus   Between Theory and Reality Eamon Sweeney   In the Name of Security Jim J Kane   Caught at it Again Anthony McIntyre   The History of the Troubles According to the Provos John Nixon   Moving Forward Past the Past Davy Carlin   More Questions than Answers Mick Hall   In Memory of Robert Emmet Charles Murnick   Attempted Suicide by Iranian Asylum Seeker Debbie Grue   Dublin: Maghberry Briefing Meeting Mags Glennon   Belfast Anti-War Movement Public Meeting   • 1 September 2003 •   Latest Police Attacks on Press Freedoms Mike Browne   We Haven't Gone Away, You Know The Blanket Back Online   The War Crime of Secret Graves Anthony McIntyre   Horses for Courses Eamon Sweeney   Rwanda: Crushing Dissent Liam O Ruairc   Terrorists, Their Friends and the Bogota 3 Toni Solo   Aznar: Spain's Super Lackey Agustín Velloso   Orwell Centenary Talk John O'Farrell   The Letters page has been updated.

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