PRESS RELEASE A bankrupt and brutal asylum system: women asylum seekers tell their stories 16 July 2009

For Immediate release

 

16 July 2009

 

A BANKRUPT AND BRUTAL ASYLUM SYSTEM: WOMEN ASYLUM SEEKERS TELL THEIR STORIES

 

A ground-breaking new media project enabling women asylum seekers to tell their stories through the internet is being launched in London by The Testimony Project.

 

The Testimony Project gives a voice to women seeking asylum through a virtual community where they can share their testimonies of flight and survival. It provides them with a source of information, advice and community.

 

Speakers at the launch include novelist Monica Ali, Helen Bamber OBE (founder of the Helen Bamber Foundation), Jeremy Corbyn MP, and Chris Cleave, author of ‘The Other Hand’. The launch will also feature the films and oral accounts of women brutalised by the asylum seeking process.

 

Almost half of those seeking asylum in the UK are women, many of whom have fled violence and persecution with their children. Over 40% of women in the asylum system say they are victims of rape or sexual violence.

 

Marjorie, is from Uganda, and is one of the women involved in The Testimony Project. “My story is just one of thousands of stories. No one should have to go through what I’ve been through. It’s important that these stories are heard because testimony creates change.”

 

Bella (not her real name) describes her experiences, “The Home Office deliberately excludes us. We can’t work, we can’t learn, we can’t even get proper health care. The Testimony Project provides a way for us to be in touch with each other and share our experiences.”

 

Farhat from Pakistan explains the importance of telling these stories. “It took me seven long years to get asylum. I can’t get those years back. But at least now I can tell my story and I know I’m not alone.

 

The Testimony Project centres around ten powerful short films and written testimonies from asylum seeking women all available on the website www.testimonyproject.org

 

The website will act as a resource that signposts women seeking asylum to information and provide essential legal and practical support. The project encourages engagement between the asylum seeking community and refugee organisations, journalists and members of the public wanting more information about issues impacting on asylum seekers.

 

Holly Pelham, is the Director of The Testimony Project.

 

“The Testimony Project is about giving voice to the stories that need to be told, and that would otherwise not be heard. The women we have filmed have fled unimaginable horrors. They come here in search of protection, but instead have to battle a bankrupt and brutal asylum system. These women are now speaking out, giving testimony about their experiences and The Testimony Project provides a platform for them to do this.”

 

The project is being launched in London on July 23^rd and high profile supporters include the broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow.

 

“This is the age of the internet and of telling stories. There’s never been a more important time for doing just that. Telling stories, giving voice…makes a difference. It is vital that these stories from the margins in the UK are heard.”

 

 

Background:

 

The Testimony Project is being launched at Amnesty International UK, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA, and is by invitation only.

 

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the women who have given testimony, as well as of the speakers including Monica Ali and Jeremy Corbyn MP.

 

For more information about The Testimony Project or to find out more about attending the launch event contact:

 

Holly Pelham

Mobile: 07989 540 704

 

The website www.testimonyproject.org will go live on 23^rd July 2009.

 

Quality, high-res photographs of the women who have taken part in the project are also available.

 

The 10 films are each approximately 3 minutes long.