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WOMEN APPEAL AGAINST BULLDOZING OF HOMES

22 October 2012
2 minute read

Over 250 women at Dale Farm, the largestGypsy community in Britain, are appealing tothe UN on International Women’s Day (8 March)to help stop the bulldozing of their homes.

They say since UK Secretary of State Ruth Kellygave the green light last week for the destruction of 86 chalets and mobile-homes, their last resortmay be the United Nations.

A report on their situation has gone this week to Miloon Kothari, special rapporteur on Housing, andGay McDoughall, special rapporteur on minorityissues.

It has also been taken up by the AdvocacyProject in Washington, and the International Allianceof Inhabitants, in Italy.

Although the issue is yet to come before theHigh Court in a judicial review, the Dale Farmmothers are alerting tese internationalagencies and NGOs to their plight ahead of any finaljudge’s ruling.

"We have l50 children of school-age," saidMrs McCarthy, "and many small ones who needprotection. There are also five pregnant mothers."

She said the decision to allow Basildon DistrictCouncil to evict all the families with no alternativeaccommodation was inhuman and cruel. She fearsthat children and sick persons may be injuredduring any violent eviction attempt – or killedon the roadside.

Basildon has hired Constant & Co., a bailiffcompany specilizing in the eviction of Gypsies, todemolish the Dale Farm village, home of600 Travellers. More than 5 million euro have beenset aside for the operation, described by ParishPriest John Glenn as ethnic-cleansing.

"We are Travellers," said Mary Ann McCarthy,"but our children have been brought up here andare going to school. They know nothing aboutliving on the roadside – yet where else can we go?"

The women say they have the support of UN roving ambassador Vanessa Redgrave, whosebrother actor Corin Redgrave has twice visitedDale Farm.

The UK Association of Gypsy Women haveraised the issue at Strasbourh through the EuropeanRoma and Travellers Forum.

Yesterday North Norfolk Independent Cllr MrsCandy Sheridan, who is related to some of the DaleFarm families, offered to assist in any fresh planningapplications and appeals which may be undertaken.

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