MUBAREK FAMILY WINS LEAVE TO APPEAL

The family of Zahid Mubarek, who was killed by his racist cellmate in Feltham prison on 21 March 2000, has today won leave to appeal against the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and has been granted leave for judicial reviews against the Home Secretary and the coroner. A date of 3 september has been set for the hearing at which all parties will attend to explain why they have refused a public inquiry.

BACKGROUND information

The Mubarek family has called for a public and accountable investigation into racism at Feltham Young Offenders' Institute. 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'.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact:
Suresh Grover, the chairman of the National Civil Rights Movement and the family spokesperson, on 020 8843 2333 or 07903 931365 or:
Imran Khan, the solicitor for the family, on 020 7636 6314 or 07973 324526

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