Dear Supporters 

Yesterday the long awaited, severely delayed Windrush Lessons Learned report was finally published containing 30 recommendations  and describing the Home Office as being guilty of institutional ignorance and  thoughtlessness . Whilst the publication of the report is welcomed, it is deeply disappointing  that it does not acknowledge  that institutional racism played a part in the Windrush scandal.

The report is about learning lessons and many of the recommendations  are focused on the Home Office and the need for equality training, education and awareness and addressing under representation of black and minority ethnic staff at senior grades but the reality is that the victims of the Windrush scandal are still facing the impacts of injustice, a tiny 3% have been compensated and some are destitute and homeless.

Black organisations and campaigners issued a statement condemning the report,  calling  for: 

A full independent public inquiry.

Provision of full British passports without delay for all impacted

£10,000 advance per person impacted in compensation and lifting of restrictions  and limitations on the  compensation scheme 

Release of those detained as a consequence of the hostile environment and an end to the deportation of those deemed by the government to be "foreign born offenders".

Read the statement in full here; https://twitter.com/BARACUK/status/1240609765790756864?s=19

More details in the review of the report attached, which I wrote for The Voice newspaper here: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/windrush/2020/03/20/why-the-windrush-lessons-learned-review-doesnt-go-far-enough/

It is very clear that we need an Independent  Public Inquiry into the Windrush Scandal.

Following representations by campaigners , because of the impacts of coronavirus, the requirement for people to sign in at Home Office reporting centres and police stations has been suspended  and we have received news that the process of releasing those held at detention centres has started. I previously reported there was a suspected  coronavirus  case at one centre and concerns have been raised about how fast the virus could spread with people crowded into one space .

Thanks for your continued support and I hope that you are all able to stay safe at this very difficult  time for everyone globally, due to the coronavirus  crisis. 

Regards 

Zita