<nettime> [ICC] Some CARAVAN participants refused entry by brits. (fwd)

[Patrice Riemens <patrice@xs4all.nl>]

----- Forwarded message from Andreas Rockstein -----

>From root@news.gn.apc.org Fri May 28 09:52:37 1999
Originator: j18discussion@gn.apc.org
Subject: [ICC] Some CARAVAN participants refused entry by brits. (fwd)


================================
Date Posted: 05/27/1999
Posted by: papadop@peak.org
================================

GUARDIAN (London) Thursday May 27, 1999

Indian farmers on protest tour refused entry to UK

John Vidal

More than 70 Indian peasant farmers and social activists claim to have
been refused entry to Britain to demonstrate about the unfairness of the
global trading system, despite being allowed into other European countries
and having the backing of Labour MPs, MEPs, human rights and anti-racist
organisations. 

Only 37 farmers out of some 120 due to come to Britain as part of
Intercontinental Caravan, a month-long tour of west and east Europe by
more than 500 people from developing countries, have been given visas. 

They arrive today on a converted bus and will spend three days holding
public meetings, visiting the HQs of large companies and the Bank of
England. 

But yesterday the foreign office denied allegations that it was supressing
free speech or that it was acting politically, claiming that many of the
farmers had applied too late or not at all. 

The farmers' version of events differs greatly from the government's. They
claim that they had been treated "like untouchables" when they applied at
the high commission in Madras. 

"We were told to bring more and more documents, including our land deeds
and titles, then our bank details. We all had letters from host
organisations guaranteeing our conduct in Britain," said one farmer, who
is now in Holland. 

"When we protested, the embassy called the police and 19 of us were
arrested. All we want to do is tell the British what is happening to the
poorest in India. They still have the colonial mindset in Madras." 

It was a similar story in Amsterdam, they said. Having been told to apply
again when they arrived in Europe they were told yesterday to provide more
papers and that "only three or four" applications could be processed. By
late yesterday none had been granted. 

Most of the delegation are thought to be members of the Karnataka state
farmers' organisation, based in Bangalore. Claiming membership of up to 10
million peasant farmers in the state, the leaders, who also have the
backing of the Gandhi organisation, have long protested in a peaceful way
against multinational companies and the international trading system. 

Yesterday the foreign office said that the farmers had been treated like
everyone else. "They were asked to make applications and to submit
evidence to show who was funding their trip. Some refused and staged a
demonstration. We tried to explain what was required," said a spokesman. 

But Labour MEP Stan Newens said, "I will be very sorry if this group who
want to raise important global issues cannot come." 

========


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----- End of forwarded message from Andreas Rockstein -----

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