MF in the media
Voice of America (24 August) The MF’s Alex Sklan speaks on the evening news program 'Crossroads Asia'
24 August, 2010
The Medical Foundation’s Alex Sklan speaks to Voice of America’s evening news program ‘Crossroads Asia’.
The Medical Foundation featured on Voice of America radio station this week as Director of Clinical Services, Alex Sklan, provided clinical expertise on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its prevalence in survivors of torture.
The interview focused on the trauma of a young Afghan woman mutilated as punishment for attempting to flee a marriage in which she was treated as a slave. Bibi Aisha is in the USA awaiting plastic surgery after having her nose and ears cut off by her own husband.
Link: Listen to an extended interview with Alex Sklan and read the full web article
Tribune (19 August) Charles Atangana’s life is in Theresa May’s hands
19 August, 2010
In support of journalist Charles Atangana, who is faced with deportation to Cameroon where he could face torture or death, Tribune Magazine point Home Secretary Theresa May towards 'Every Morning Just Like Coffee, the shocking report by The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture'.
Link: Tribune
Socialist Worker (17 August) Victory as journalist is released from detention
17 August, 2010
African journalist Charles Atangana has been released from detention in Britain in a major victory for refugee rights campaigners. Highlighting the human rights abuses in Cameroon he is likely to be subjected to if returned, the NUJ president, Pete Murray, wrote: 'The highly respected Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture said in a report that torture of detainees in Cameroon was so routine it was “like morning coffee”'.
Link: Socialist Worker
Islington Tribune (13 August) Ex-mayor Anna Berent raises £28,000 for her chosen charities
13 August, 2010
The Medical Foundation (MF) will share a donation of £28,000 from former Islington Mayor Anna Berent. Jasvir Kaur, MF Marketing Director, said: “This significant donation will make a very real impact upon the lives of torture survivors whom we support at our treatment centres, the largest of which is here in Islington.”
Link: Islington Tribune
Guardian (8 August) NUJ highlight MF report on Cameroon in bid to save journalist threatened with deportation
8 August, 2010
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has cited a Medical Foundation report entitled 'Every Morning Just Like Coffee', published in 2002 to detail the prevalence of torture in Cameroon, as part of its campaign to halt the deportation of journalist Charles Atangana back to a country where they say he faces torture or even death.
Link: Guardian
Guardian (7 July) Keith Best speaks about terms of torture inquiry
7 July, 2010
As the terms of the inquiry into allegations of complicity in torture are announced, Medical Foundation CEO, Keith Best, speaks about the need for the government to signify the UK’s condemnation for torture through deeds as well as words. Only after those responsible face prosecution will the government and security services be able to move forward with confidence, and only then will the UK's reputation be restored.
Link: Torture inquiry must reveal the truth
Guardian (16 June) Keith Best speaks out over forced returns to Iraq
16 June, 2010
CEO of the Medical Foundation, Keith Best, raised concerns that the government is returning refused asylum seekers to Iraq, against UN advice. He highlighted the poor human rights record of the country and asked how we could guarantee their safety. Bringing the issue back to torture survivors Keith was quoted as saying the UKBA should identifying torture survivors and not be sending anyone back without being able to ensure their safety.
Link: Guardian June 16
Guardian (June 12) MF clients who featured in book interviewed for Refugee Week
12 June, 2010
Former MF clients Hamzat and Mohammed, having fled conflict and danger in their home countries, are interviewed as part of Refugee Week and featured in the Guardian Family section. We had previously collaborated with them and series editor Annemarie Young on a series of books aimed at over year olds called the Refugee Diaries
Link: Guardian June 12
Guardian (June 10) Fears for Afghan child refugees being returned
10 June, 2010
The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture has urgent questions about the UK Border Agency's plan to forcibly return unaccompanied child asylum seekers to Afghanistan on a monthly basis
Link: Guardian letters June 10
Independent (June 1) UKBA to deport MF client despite Taliban death threat
1 June, 2010
Sultan Mahmood is a former MF client who is to be forcibly returned despite being under a death sentence from the Taliban. Sultan has said he fears for his life should he be returned but the UKBA is to send the 70-year-old home later this month.
Link: Independent June 1