“We need a world without a racist immigration system”

Dashty Jamal’s speech on 1st May 2010, at a meeting organized by the Latin American Workers Association at School of University of Oriental Studies in London

On behalf of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees I would like to wish you all a happy may day.  I would also like to thank the Latin workers association for inviting me to speak to you today.

May Day is a special day of solidarity for all working class people.  As activists it is important for us always to fight for freedom and opportunities of our class. This is particularly important at the moment when the three major parties in the UK are all threatening to attack our class.

The Liberals, Conservatives and Labour parties seek to divide us by blaming immigrants and refugees for the current political crises.  They say these people come from far away countries to take the benefits you have paid for. They take your council houses and take handouts from the welfare state. This is not true many of these immigrants and refugees are running away from the horrors of war and persecution. If they are allowed to work they will work and pay taxes and contribute to society.  These immigrants and refugees are not monsters they are part of the working class.  This is particularly ironic when you think that the most current influx of refugees has been coming form Iraq and Afghanistan.  When the conditions in these countries which have led people to flee have been brought about by the Tony Blair led Labour parties support for the US invasion.

I am sure you have all observed what is going on in Iraq through your TV screens. I do not want to talk about the victims of the war, the daily problems caused by Militia group, Iraqi police and American occupation, the sectarian war between Shiite and Sunni groups, the increased oppression of women forced to endure circumcision and executions from stoning in the name of honour.  Iraq has fallen in to the hands of Militia groups. There is a gap of government after the election.  There is still not a government setup despite the results of the March election. 

Iraqi refugees have no rights and are mistreated in the most inhuman way by both European governments and the neighbouring countries of Iraq. Their own government in Iraq as well Kurdish political parties use them as a political card to serve their own personal political and economical means.

The situation in Iraq has been created directly by several European governments.  These same governments should take responsibility for the circumstances that has led to thousands fleeing Iraq. When they talk about human rights they should think about the plight of Iraq and treat Iraqi refugees with respect.

We must come together again in the same way as we stood against the war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. Human rights are an international struggle therefore we all have to be part of that struggle.  Victory in this struggle is a victory to all of humanity. We will carry on the struggle against these politics and plans against the Kurdish, Iraqi refugees and other migrant workers.

We need a world with out borders .we need world without a racist immigration system. 

Such divisions between people can never be fair we want equality and full employment rights for all.  It is important to build a movement against these divisions. We need to set up a strong network around the EU to stand for humanity, equality, dignity and universal rights.  I invite you to join our fight and build a network with other refugees and human right organizations, to close all detention centers and defend refugees and migrant workers.

We must stop the BNP and other right wing forces from using the working class for their own political agenda.

We have organised a week of action from 1 June - 6 June 2010. I ask every one here to participate in our week of action.

Long live the struggle against forcible deportation and the politics of division.

Long live May Day!