Press release from Black Women's Rape Action Project (bwrap@rapeaction.net), 06/12/10

On 6 December at 2pm Ms Jane Uyi was physically assaulted and verbally abused by several SERCO guards during one of their routine monthly searches of women’s rooms.

Ms Uyi and her room mate were body searched by two male officers and one female officer. Their room was then ransacked. An officer known as Clifford was threatening and abusive and called her an “illegal immigrant and a prostitute” breaching her confidentiality by revealing aspects of her asylum claim to other women and officers present. Deeply upset at the ferocity and viciousness of the officers, Ms Uyi shouted back and demanded that he put the room straight. The woman officer began to help but was prevented by Clifford who called for back up from his manager. On arrival instead of asking what had happened, the manager and two officers bent both Ms Uyi’s hands back, and pressed her against the wall. They pulled out some of her hair. Several of the other women who had come to the room on hearing the disturbance saw what was happening. One tried to defend Ms Uyi but was pushed away.

Speakout at the offices of SERCO in support of the hungerstrikers in Yarl's Wood detention centre, which is run by SERCO.

Demonstration at the offices of SERCO in support of the hungerstrikers in Yarl's Wood detention centre, which is run by SERCO.

London Detainee Solidarity Network have called for a demo this Friday at 2.30pm in support of the Yarls Wood hunger strikers.

The demo will take place at Serco's offices at 18-22 Hand Court (off High Holborn), London, WC1V 6JF. Serco manage Yarls Wood on behalf of UKBA.

Please bring banners and instruments.

For more info about the hunger strike see here

The Network is also calling for a phone blockade on Friday between 10am and midday. Call the following to express your support for the hunger strikers and disgust at the way they have been treated!

Serco Home Affairs Office - 01344 386300
Yarl's Wood Duty Manager - 01234 821517

In solidarity with the detainees on hunger strike since Tuesday in Yarls Wood immigration prison in Bedford, a protest has been called this Friday 19th June, from midday-2pm at the offices of Serco (the company that runs Yarls Wood).

Please bring banners and instruments!

Address: Serco Institute, 22 Hand Court, off High Holborn, WC1V 6JF

More info about the hunger strike:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432512.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/06/432528.html