Billy Bragg calls for system that acknowledges torture survivors as equals

A balanced approach that recognises the plight of torture survivors is essential if Britain is to move forward as a cohesive society, says Billy Bragg, who is pressing for a written constitution that would give equal rights to all British citizens, including asylum seekers.

Speaking on behalf of the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture at this year's WOMAD festival, the singer-songwriter appealed to the public to look beyond the sensationalism of the tabloid press which harbours the assumption that all immigrants are "bogus asylum seekers".

The advent of identity cards and Home Secretary John Reid's pledge for swifter removals of immigrants and asylum seekers demonstrated a growing threat to human rights, Bragg said. He challenged people to question the government, to press for a fresh bill of rights that would secure the rights of all individuals, saying that to fail to do so was to risk falling prey to the tactics of the far right. Creating an inclusive society based on a system of British values that immigrants could respect as much as indigenous citizens was vital. Addressing the largest crowd to attend the One World Stage during the weekend, Bragg called for people to take an active interest in determining a society based on its own terms of equality, fairness and tolerance.

Addressing the largest crowd to attend the One World Stage during the weekend, Bragg called for people to take an active interest in determining a society based on its own terms of equality, fairness and tolerance.

"The issues of who does belong and who doesn't are one of the most important issues that are facing us as a nation," said Bragg, whose forthcoming book The Progressive Patriot - A Search for Belonging, is due for imminent release. "The overarching issue is one of basic, fundamental human rights, the right not to be tortured. We all hope that we will never have to rely on our right not to be tortured. When the Human Rights Act is attacked it's mostly attacked because it's seen as a criminals' charter because it gives rights to criminals. Magna Carta was a criminals' charter; people wanted rules for those who were brought before the courts. That's the most important time when you and I come into contact with the power of the state, which is overwhelming."

"We've got to go back to history and remind people what was done in the name of the common spirit. The most important achievement was that individuals have rights; they are universal; they are not class based; they are not racial. We need to get to that place where we can start to once again define our own values through the universal human rights that we all believe in. A constitution of some sort that's defined by a bill of rights holds those in power to account. It's the rules by which we consent to allow ourselves to be ruled; they are the rules by which we say thus far and no further'. We need people to come together in their communities and decide what they want those rules to be."

Appealing to the crowd to sign the MF's petition for better services for child torture survivors, he added: "We need those rules to be written down for those children who are sent back to countries where they are at risk of torture again."

Bragg's rallying call was part of the activities organised at the festival by MF's Reading Local Group. Five hundred people signed up to the petition calling for more stringent mechanisms to ensure children fleeing persecution are provided with effective help in their recovery and reintegration when they reach the UK. The charity plans to submit the petition, which is an ongoing campaign, to Home Secretary John Reid and Children's Minister Beverley Hughes in 2007.

Appealing to the crowd to sign the MF's petition for better services for child torture survivors, he added: "We need those rules to be written down for those children who are sent back to countries where they are at risk of torture again."

Syd Bolton, MF's Legal and Policy Officer (Children and Young People), said: "Of the thousands of people who visited our stand over the weekend, everyone was concerned and many were angry at the way that our asylum process treats children, especially those who are also torture survivors. Our petition is aimed at putting pressure on the UK authorities to change both its legal position and its practices, to protect and support our clients in a way which is in accordance with all the obligations contained in the UN Children's Convention, not just the ones it picks when it chooses."

Liz Bailey, chair of the Reading Local Group, said the campaign was bolstered by an overwhelmingly positive response. "It's very encouraging to realise just how many people out there don't believe all the hype about asylum seekers and are genuninely compassionate."

The group also raised £622 for the charity. For details on how to join the Reading group, e-mail [email protected].

*For the latest on Bragg's forthcoming book visit http://www.billybragg.co.uk