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- Fear and Uncertainty as Dale Farm Travellers Face Eviction, August 30, 2011
- Dale Farm Eviction: Report Claims Council May Be Acting Unlawfully, June 13, 2011
- Dale Farm May Be Saved By New European Plans, May 30, 2011
- MPs Want Dale Farm Eviction Called Off, April 26, 2011
- Dale Farm: NO PASARAN!
- Dale Farm Legal Challenge to £13 Million Eviction Operation, March 15, 2011
- Council of Europe Visit Raises Dale Farm Spirit, February 16, 2011
- MP Seeks Dale Farm Talks as Eviction Plan Falters, December 28, 2010
- Dale Farm: Labour Party Oppose Forced Eviction, December 8, 2010
- Dale Farm May Be Winning Battle For Commonsense, November 11, 2010
- Dale Farm: Judgment Reserved on Homeless, October 24, 2010
- Dale Farm Prepares to Meet Constant Eviction, October 5, 2010
- Travellers Under Pressure to Abandon Community Living, September 20, 2010
- UK Gypsy Homes Bulldozed as UN Deadline Approaches, June 30, 2010
- The Dale Farm Eviction May be a Criminal Conspiracy, June 27, 2010
- Cameron Tested by Dale Farm Proposal, May 14, 2010
- UN Backs Call to Halt Big UK Gypsy Eviction, April 14, 2010
- Travellers' Genocide Protest Upsets Basildon Council Head, October 30, 2009
- UK: Then They Came For the Gypsies, October 25, 2009
- Dale Farm Eviction Contract Attracts Notorious Bailiffs, July 19, 2009
- Lords Won't Hear Dale Farm Appeal, May 14, 2009
- UN Backs the Dale Farm Travellers in Their Fight Against Eviction, April 29, 2009
- Dale Farm Travellers Face Eviction After UK Appeals Court Ruling, January 22, 2009
- Dale Farm Travellers Face Racism and Prejudice as Court Mulls Appeal, December 19, 2008
- Dale Farm Community Center Faces Demolition as Eviction Threat Resurfaces, September 26, 2008
- Britain's High Court Lifts the Threat of Eviction from the Dale Farm Travellers, May 13, 2008
- Defiant Travellers Open Community Center as Britain's High Court Prepares to Rule on Their Eviction, May 5, 2008
- Dale Farm Eviction Crisis Reaches the British High Court, February 14, 2008
- Dale Farm Travellers Win Key Concession as Eviction Deadline Approaches, December 11, 2007
- Success for Traveler Advocacy in UK As Eviction Threat Lifts at Dale Farm, July 9, 2007
- AP Peace Fellow Defends Traveler Rights, Arouses British Ire, June 12, 2007
- Urban Sprawl Trumps Minority Housing Rights in UK as Dale Farm Travelers Again Face Eviction, March 2, 2007
- Traveler Evictions in the UK Are ‘Hazardous to Environment and Children’s Health’ Claim Advocates, November 1, 2006
- Travelers Face Eviction Despite Intervention, July 29, 2005
- Showdown Looms as Advocates Seek to Avert Violent Eviction of 600 Travelers in the UK, July 13, 2005
- English Gypsy Women Warn of Possible “Deaths” from Forcible Evictions, and Appeal for International Mediation, April 8, 2005
- Roma Evictions Erupt Across Europe as New ‘Decade’ Seeks to End Discrimination January 31, 2005
- Dictionary.com Removes Offensive Gypsy Definition in Response to Grassroots Campaign, September 22, 2004
- New Funding Grants $8,000 to International Roma Women’s Network, June 1, 2004
- Roma: Roma Women Activists Challange European Governments Over Health Crisis, September 11, 2003
- The International Roma Women's Network is Launched, March 8, 2003
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The Dale Farm Eviction May be a Criminal Conspiracy, June 27, 2010
Plans to destroy the Dale Farm Travellers' community, the biggest in Britain, may amount to a criminal conspiracy, it was alleged at a meeting with top Essex police officers last week.
That such a conspiracy already exists was suggested by Prof. Thomas Acton, of Greenwich University. He told Assistant Chief Constable Derek Benson breaches of safety which could endanger the lives of children were almost certainly inherent in Basildon's secret operational blue-print for the mass clearance of ninety Gypsy families.
It was likely that the local council, which has brushed aside a legal memorandum on forced clearances of the kind envisaged, is ignoring important aspects of international law, Prof Acton said. That law states violent evictions without provision of alternate homes are illegal and have been outlawed by the United Nations.
"We are still seeking a way out for all parties," commented Prof. Acton after the meeting, which took place on 25 June at Basildon central police station. "There's no need for this eviction and I don't believe the police want to see it happen."
Residents are being left in the dark as to Basildon council's intentions, Grattan Puxon, secretary of the Dale Farm Housing Association told the meeting. Clarification on several important points, including the fate of the community's chapel and holy shrines, is still missing and there had been outright refusal to reveal details of the contract with bailiff agents Constant & Co., which in the past have bullied eviction victims and burned their caravans.
"We have sought details of the contract, information on risk assessment and clear guidance regarding removal of property," Mr Puxon said. "All have been declined - which suggests the council have a lot to hide."
However, he said it has been admitted that the council went ahead with the clearance of Gypsy properties at Hovefield, Wickford, without carrying out a risk assessment as required by law. This was a serious breach of safety in itself, Mr Puxon claimed.
Bob Watt, of Essex University Law School, informed the Assistant Chief Constable and police solicitor Adam Hunt that an appeal against refusal to disclose contract details would be lodged shortly with the UK Information Commissioner.
He then went on to forewarn the police of the many legal pitfalls in regards to the rights of the legal residents at Dale Farm and the behaviour of bailiffs towards property owners. "We expect the police to intervene when bailiffs break the law," Watt emphasised. "That includes not using machinery near to children."
As serious is the failure of the council to respond to an offer by Wickford churches to provide shelter in church halls to those wishing to avoid the trauma of seeing their homes bulldozed. Ann Kobayashi, a member of the Catholic parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, said Travellers made up a large proportion of the congregation and their forced dispersal might be regarded as a breach of equality law aimed at sustaining communities.
"Basildon intends to smash this community,"said Kobayashi. "This will have a horrific impact on our parish where the Travellers are well integrated. Six members from Dale Farm are eucharistic ministers."
It should be noted that a British judge last week quashed plans to demolish homes and an indoor market in north London as no proper account had been taken of the impact on the ethnic communities involved in terms of race quality law.
Speaking for Dale Farm, Mary Ann McCarthy said she feared for her two recently married granddaughters, both now expecting babies. "How will they cope if we're thrown out on the road? I can't believe you'll do this."
"That is something you must take up with the council," Benson answered. "We're not
intending to take charge of this eviction and will be imparial to both sides. I would like to see more talks between you and Basildon council to settle this matter between you."
Before the end of the meeting, the Assistant Chief Constable assured Traveller representatives that he viewed their intented deployment of human rights monitors and legal observers, including a UN-linked team, as fully acceptable and legitimate. He also promised that members of the media invited by residents would be able to go about their business unhampered by the police.
It was agreed the parties should meet again in the event that Basildon council decides to issue the 28-days warning notice of an eviction operation.
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HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING DAY
Essex University Human Rights Law Clinictogether with Dale Farm Housing Associationare organizing a one-day training programme at Dale Farm on Sunday 22 August 10 to 4 pm.
This is an opportunity for those volunteering for human rights monitoring duties to meet with residents and be briefed on their role in the event of any eviction attempt.
MUSIC & REFESHMENTS
For more details contact:
Leticia Osorio losori@essex.ac.uk
Grattan Puxon dale.farm@btinternet.com
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