About Habeas Corpus Project
The Habeas Corpus Project is a non-profit organisation that challenges unlawful detention of individuals in the UK to secure their release.
Habeas Corpus Project Description
The Habeas Corpus Project ['HCP'] is a non-profit organisation that provides pro-bono legal representation in challenging unlawful detention of individuals in the UK. The name was inspired by the principle of Habeas Corpus.
The organisation was founded in July 2014 by Ousman Noor, a practicing barrister. Ousman has developed extensive experience in representing individuals in immigration detention, often making bail applications in Immigration Tribunals on their behalf. This experience led to a strong conviction that immigration detention was often performed unlawfully with insufficient transparency or accountability to the rule of law. This view appeared to be shared by other legal practitioners, including Michael Fordham QC, author of Immigration Detention and the Rule of Law, a report commissioned by the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law who stated that ‘[immigration detention] is one of the most pressing rule of law issues of our era’.
It is clear that the lack of accessible and /or affordable legal representation is a fundamental reason for the non-accountability in challenging unlawful detention. This problem has increased as a result of the government’s cuts to legal aid affecting the availability of legal representation in judicial review work. Whilst the HCP joins others in campaigning against these cuts, we recognise that without the assistance of lawyers continuing to work on a pro-bono basis, it will become increasingly difficult for individuals to challenge unlawful detention leading to further deterioration in access to justice and the rule of law.
Upon foundation, the organisation was funded by Ousman Noor. The HCP’s future will depend on the support and involvement of volunteers and contributors who share the aspirations of the organisation. The work of HCP can be broadly divided in to three categories (i) Litigation (ii) Training (iii) Publications.
Reviews
Freddy Russell in an EXCELLENT interview with Lush cosmetics (one of our funders) on his work as a caseworker with the Habeas Corpus Project.
http://player.lush.com/…/6bbf1f7c-d7a2- 484b-a109-dd4c6ae0d9…
Here are directions to G29, Anatomy Building, J Z Young Lecture Theatre, UCL for the evening starting at 6.30 this evening:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maps/jz-young-lt
We will be hosting our FINAL training seminar on challenging unlawful detention TOMORROW (7th December 2016). Whilst the tickets on eventbrite are sold out, we are certain there will be extra space. Please feel free to come along and attend the event even if you haven't registered.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/challengin g-unlawful-detenti…
75% of the seats for our FINAL training event are now taken. The event will be on 7th December 2016 at UCL. Please reserve your seat if you are able to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/challengin g-unlawful-detenti…
DON'T FORGET: You need to sign up for the HCP's final training event on 7th December at UCL. Register your attendance here: https://challenging-unlawful-detention.ev entbrite.co.uk
We are hosting a FINAL training event on how to challenge unlawful detention on 7th December 2016 at 6.30pm at UCL. The seminar will include speeches from Ousman Noor, Director of the HCP and Pierre Makhlouf, Assistant Director of Bail for Immigration Detainees, a medical practitioner and active students. The event is FREE but registration on eventbrite is required.
REGISTRATION ON EVENTBRITE PAGE COMPULSORY
Room: Anatomy G29 J Z Young LT
The Habeas Corpus Project (HCP) and UCLU Student Action for Refugees (STAR) are hosting a training seminar at UCL on 7th December 2016 at 6.30pm.
... Every year over 30,000 migrants are held in prison-like immigration detention centres. Many spend months or even years of their life in these centres, sometimes unlawfully. The HCP has provided pro bono legal advice or representation to over 230 immigration detainees from 55 nationalities, helping the secure the release of 40 individuals since December 2014.
The event will provide training in detention law and procedure and learn to recognise and challenge unlawful detention of refugees and migrants. Speakers include:
Ousman Noor - Director of the Habeas Corpus Project Pierre Makhlouf - Assistant Director of Bail for Immigration Detainees Dr Liz Ashford - Medical practitioner Anna Ashford - Student Action for Refugees
Last year we sold out so make sure you book early! The event is free but you must sign up on eventbrite if you'd like to attend
THIS WILL BE THE FINAL TRAINING EVENT HOSTED BY THE HCP BEFORE ITS CLOSURE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. LAST CHANCE - SPREAD THE WORD!
See More
With just 6 more weeks to close , we are proud to be finishing with some successful cases. We'll be doing a write up on our reasons for closing soon. Until then, here's a story of another detainee released.
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/pen-mighter-s word-hcp-secures-…/
The HCP will be closing soon, but we are going out with a fight! Mr. Salami is one of 3 individuals we got released in the last week. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/hcp-squad-sal ami-released/
Our Director was interviewed on RT UK on the imminent closure of the 'Jungle' camp in Calais which has over 900 unaccompanied children. He calls the UK and French government 'disgusting' for the lack of responsibility taken for these children. We must pressure this government to do more urgently.
Read the latest on our complaint regarding the Home Office's unlawful obstruction of six volunteer lawyers from entering Yarl's Wood detention centre for legal visits. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has proposed a formal investigation into the matter.
Here is Episode 3 of the Habeas Corpus Project Video Broadcasts featuring news and analysis of detention law and practice including summary of Hossain & Ors v SSHD on the Detained Interim Instruction
The Habeas Corpus Project delivered training on the law of challenging unlawful detention to volunteers at Asylum Welcome, Oxford on 13th July 2016. We had great feedback on the successful event. Here is a voice recording of the training (2 hours) for anyone interested in learning more. Please share any feedback.
We visited Yarl's Wood last week and was extremely concerned to have met a lady who was clearly a potential victim of human trafficking. Despite 3 different law firms representing her, this has never been flagged. The Habeas Corpus Project made an intervention and with the assistance of the The Salvation Army United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland we have successfully secured her immediate release from detention. A full investigation will now take place.
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/hcp-secures-r elease-potential-…/
We provided free legal representation to Mercy Nyamuka who was detained in the infamous Yarl's Wood detention centre. After a bail hearing on Wednesday, she was released. Thank you to all those who continue to support the Habeas Corpus Project.
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/mercy-nyamuka -released-detenti…/
Here is Episode 2 of the Habeas Corpus Project video broadcast featuring news and updates relating to detention law and practice and also analysis of the new Immigration Act 2016. Give feedback on any topics you'd like us to cover next episode :)
https://youtu.be/57oHvcDsCfM
We have just compiled some statistics on the Habeas Corpus Project. We have represented 167 individuals from 50 different nationalities and helped secure the release of 32 in total. This has been a massive achievement. Here are some infographics on the data. Thank you to everyone who continues to support us!
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/detainees-rea ched-hcp-infograp…/
We are on a roll! The HCP provided free legal representation to Mr. Surena and secured his release yesterday after another court hearing. This was a very complicated case and the judge noted that he would 'not normally grant release' but that the particular circumstances persuaded him otherwise. Mr. Surena and his wife wished to express gratitude to all those who have supported the project :)
http://habeas-corpus.org.uk/emmanuel-sure na-released-deten…/