MF in the media


Voice of America (24 August) The MF’s Alex Sklan speaks on the evening news program 'Crossroads Asia'


The Medical Foundation’s Alex Sklan speaks to Voice of America’s evening news program ‘Crossroads Asia’.

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialise correctly.

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


 

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


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


I would like to donate:
GBP