A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to produce social change by helping marginalized communities to become advocates for social justice and claim their rights

Email All Council Members

Dear Councillor,

I am writing to urge you to end plans for the eviction of 86 Irish Traveller families who have been refused permission to live at Dale Farm in Essex.

Although the integrity of the greenbelt and of planning laws are important issues, these concerns are mitigated by the overall shortage of sites for Gypsies and Travellers throughout England, and the racism that Travellers face when attempting to get planning permission for private land. Therefore, I oppose their eviction on the following grounds:

1. Protection of minorities: Britain's Travellers constitute an ethic minority under British law (the Race Relations Act of 1976), and Dale Farm is the largest Traveller community in the country. If the protection of minorities is to mean anything, this vulnerable community should be protected not expelled.

2. The rule of law: Forced eviction would violate the 1998 Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights in British Law. Article 8 of the Act protects the right to respect for the home, private life and family. Article 1 of the First Protocol of the European Convention protects the right to enjoy undisturbed enjoyment of possessions. Both would be clearly affected by eviction.

3. Failure to find alternative land: The Basildon Council is obligated under the 2004 Housing Act (section 225) and circular 2006/1 from the office of the British Deputy Prime Minister to find alternative land for Travellers and gypsies before they are evicted. On December 13, 2007 the Regional Assembly of councils ordered Basildon to find 81 new Traveller Housing plots to meet already existing need. To date, Basildon Council has refused to designate any appropriate sites for its Gypsy residents.

4. Humanitarian impact: Eviction will create a humanitarian disaster and shift the resulting burden from Basildon to another district council. Eviction will traumatize young children and put at risk the lives of elderly and sick residents.

5. Britain's international reputation: The treatment of Travellers risks being raised at international human rights forums, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.

For these reasons, I insist that Basildon Council halt any plans for eviction from Dale Farm until such time as it adequately addresses the housing needs of its Gypsy and Traveller citizens.


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Please email the following council members in support of Dale Farm.