PRESS RELEASE    PRESS RELEASE    PRESS RELEASE   High Court Judge rules that the Detained Fast Track for asylum seekers is unlawful and “inherently unfair” - one more nail in the coffin for Yarl’s Wood IRC.   Black Women’s Rape Action Project (BWRAP) and Women Against Rape (WAR) welcome today’s decision by Judge Nicols that the Detained Fast Track for asylum seekers is unlawful and “inherently unfair”.    Cristel Amiss, from (BWRAP) commented: “This decision is way overdue. Over the past ten years we have worked with many hundreds of women detained in Yarl’s Wood, many of whom are survivors or rape and other violence.  Many have been put into the Detained Fast Track (DFT) and denied both time to gather evidence of the persecution they faced and appropriate legal representation.  Too many have been disbelieved and rejected and sent back to face further rape and other violence.”      Sian Evans from WAR added: “We are shocked however that the Judge agreed for this decision to be put on hold whilst the authorities appeal. This delay could have life-threatening consequences for women whose cases are in the DFT.”    On Monday 15th June, BWRAP, WAR and other supporters will deliver a dossier on rape and sexual violence by guards in Yarl's Wood to MPs. The dossier documents complaints from women since 2005 to the present day and details how Serco, the private company that runs Yarl’s Wood, has systematically condoned and covered up this abuse.   Protesters will gather in Parliament Square between 12-2pm to demand the closure of Yarl’s Wood and an end to the detention of all asylum seekers. 30,000 people are currently detained in the UK each year, for indefinite periods and despite committing no crime. Internationally protests are having enormous impact. In Greece, the Syriza government has started to close its detention centres. In Scotland the SNP has called for the closure of Dungavel. In the US, the New York Times is proposing to end detention. A recent 700 strong protest outside Yarl’s Wood brought together detainees with supporters from many walks of life including MPs and celebrities.   Women from the All African Women’s Group, a self-help group of women asylum seekers, many of whom have been in detention, will be speaking about their experience. Women from inside detention will address the protest via a sound system.   Protest and Speak Out to CLOSE YARL’S WOOD AND ALL DETENTION CENTRES! 15 June 12 noon to 2pm, Parliament Square The protest is part of a week of international actions in Belgium, Greece, Spain, the US and the UK. Women who have been in Yarl’s Wood are available for interview. For more information contact 0207 482 2496 or 07456 525227 aawg02@gmail.com   14 June 2015 The Protest is organised by All African Women’s Group, Black Women’s Rape Action Project, Payday Men’s Network, Women Against Rape, Women of Colour Global Women's Strike