RACE VICTIM FAMILY CALLS FOR A PUBLIC INVESTIGATION INTO FELTHAM YOUNG OFFENDERS' INSTITUTE

Judicial review against the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) on Monday 30 July 2001

The family of Zahid Mubarek, who was killed by his racist cellmate in Feltham prison on 21 March 2000, has called for a public and accountable investigation into racism at Feltham. In order to fulfill its demand, the family has judicial reviewed the CRE's investigation into the same prison, which the family view as limited in scope and secretive. Despite numerous family representations to the CRE, the Commission has refused to use its discretionary powers under the Race Relations Act to either involve the family or add any meaningful or significant public element to their investigation.

In November 2000, the CRE announced that it would launch an investigation into racism in the prison system. Earlier that same month, Paul Boateng, the then prisons minister, categorised the system as 'institutionally racist' and sought the Commission's assistance to deal with the problem. However the timing of the CRE's initiative was in direct response to the leaked internal inquiry report, following the racist murder of Asian teenager Zahid Mubarek by his cellmate, Robert Stewart, and Stewart's conviction on 1 November.

Over the years, Feltham has been heavily criticised by both official and non-governmental sources. One of its most ardent critics has been HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, whose latest and fourth report, published this week on 25 July, damned the institution for its failure to tackle increasing violence against prisoners. Sir David has described Feltham as a 'gigantic transit camp' in which the conditions are 'unacceptable in civilized society'.

Suresh Grover, the chairman of the National Civil Rights Movement and the family spokesperson, said, 'The family are shocked and dismayed at the CRE's stance of not accommodating to the family's most basic and reasonable demands. The Lawrence Inquiry showed the benefits of attempting to eradicate racism in an open and transparent manner. The purpose of any investigation or inquiry is to answer unanswered questions and to generate a momentum for reform. The CRE's current plan will fail to deliver and simply add to a mountain of other damning reports and well-intentioned paper policies and action programmes.'

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact Suresh Grover on 020 8843 2333 or 07903 931365 or Imran Khan, the solicitor for the family, on 020 7636 6314 or 07973 324526

http://www.ncrm.org.uk
http://www.carf.demon.co.uk
http://www.irr.org.uk