Cyprus-Forum.com

[GreekIslandGirl]

Seems like the cat that creamed Cyprus for all it could get, then left instead of helping, is back. Sour that others can survive wherever they choose ...

[supporttheunderdog]

Tesco beef burgers found to contain 29% horse meat
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9804632/Tesco-beef-burgers-found-to-contain-29-horse-meat.html


What's the all the fuss about? I quite liked the Hrosabuger I had in Iceland..

[yialousa1971]

Horrific cruelty at abattoir caught on film: Footage shows stunned horse waking up just before it is about to have its throat cut

Two slaughtermen have been sacked after an undercover investigation exposed shocking cruelty to horses at an abattoir.

The disturbing video shows them being beaten with metal poles and illegally stunned in groups of up to three at a time before being killed.

In one horrifying moment a stunned horse appears to regain consciousness, only to find itself hanging upside down and about to have its throat cut.


They also saw horses which appeared to be sick or injured and hadn't been immediately put down.


Founder Wendy Valentine, 63, told MailOnline: 'We have rescued around 700 horses and we were concerned about where we were saving them from.'

'It's unbelievably depressing there. They shouldn't be stunned or shot in front of each other like that.

'It's total disrespect for animal welfare.'

The scandal emerged as several British supermarkets have been exposed as selling frozen beef burgers which contain horse meat.

The alert was first raised by Irish food watchdogs after horse DNA was found in burgers sold through Tesco, Iceland, Aldi, Lidl and Dunnes in Ireland.

It subsequently emerged that burgers from the same batches were sold in the British outlets of both Tesco and Iceland.


Incredibly, the beef content in one Everyday Value burger sold by Tesco was actually 29 per cent horse meat.

The horses at the Red Lion Abattoir are believed to be butchered for European food markets.


Under the Welfare of Animals Act 1995, horses cannot be slaughtered in sight of another horse as it causes severe distress to the animal.

The footage, which has been uploaded to YouTube, shows three horses crammed into a tiny pen before being stunned.

The Food Standards Agency told the Daily Mirror it has revoked the licences of two slaughtermen after a probe into the video.

FSA head of approvals Craig Kirby said: 'As soon as we got the footage and reviewed it we took immediate action to revoke the slaughtermen's licences.

'We will also look to gather further evidence to see if we can prosecute.'

The Red Lion Abattoir told Sky News it views animal welfare and public health with paramount importance.

In a statement it said: 'In attendance at the The Red Lion Abattoir are three full time Food Standards Officers comprising of an official veterinarian and full-time meat hygiene inspectors throughout production.'

It said the incidents were 'not the norm, but of an isolated nature' and they have taken disciplinary action against the individual featured.

The statement continued: 'I agree horses should individually enter the stunning area and most certainly not three at a time.

'However, small horses and ponies having spent years together as companions are difficult to separate. Horse lovers would understand that.

'My opinion and that of other veterinarians is it is better to keep those types together to reduce the stress, providing swift dispatch is achieved.'


An RSPCA spokesperson said the organisation is viewing the footage and will decide whether to prosecute.

In a statement it said: 'The footage is shocking and upsetting to watch. With the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 in mind, we have concerns that horses appear to be in the stunning pen at the same time rather than individually as the law requires.

'We also have concerns about some of the animals that appear to be injured. We have requested a copy of the unedited footage with a view to investigating.'


Former government chief veterinary officer Keith Meldrum, who viewed the footage, has told Sky News he was shocked by the 'appalling' breaches of animal welfare.


'We see three animals stunned at the same time and it is totally illegal and contrary to welfare slaughter regulations,' he said.


'It's a significant welfare problem for a number of reasons. It's harder to render them unconscious in a group and they have a higher chance of regaining consciousness before you've completed the procedure.'

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: 'The breaches, from what we've seen, are throughout; from the care of the animals to the slaughter process.

'Horses are intelligent animals. When they see an animal stunned in front of them you can only imagine the distress that animal is going through. There are, without doubt, welfare issues here and it is plain illegal.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z2Iko31fXJ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[yialousa1971]

Secret UK uranium components plant closed over safety fears
Email
Rob Edwards

The Guardian, Thursday 24 January 2013 16.43 GMT

Exclusive: regulators report steel corrosion at Aldermaston plant, which makes enriched uranium components for nuclear warheads

A top-secret plant at Aldermaston that makes enriched uranium components for Britain's nuclear warheads and fuel for the Royal Navy's submarines has been shut down because corrosion has been discovered in its "structural steelwork", the Guardian can reveal.

The closure has been endorsed by safety regulators who feared the building did not conform to the appropriate standards. The nuclear safety watchdog demands that such critical buildings are capable of withstanding "extreme weather and seismic events", and the plant at Aldermaston failed this test.

It has set a deadline of the end of the year for the problems to be fixed.

Although the closed plant has not been officially named for national security reasons, the Guardian understands it is known as A45. It makes enriched uranium components for Trident nuclear warheads and has recently been helping to make the uranium fuel for the Astute generation of nuclear-powered submarines.

The Ministry of Defence insisted it had contingency plans to cover the loss of the plant, but prolonged closure could force the government to buy materials from the US to ensure there is no disruption to Britain's nuclear weapons programme.

The government's safety watchdog, the Office for Nuclear Regulation has taken legal enforcement action against AWE, the private consortium that runs the nuclear weapons complex at Aldermaston, Berkshire, ordering that the corroded steel be repaired.

Though the corrosion was first found last May and the enforcement notice served in November, the information only emerged via an ONR newsletter published online in the past few days. This has prompted critics to accuse AWE of not being forthcoming about a problem it detected eight months ago.

The ONR confirmed that inspections by AWE "discovered an unexpected area of corrosion on structural steelwork in one of their manufacturing facilities at Aldermaston".

The ONR launched an investigation that concluded AWE had breached a condition of its operating licence meant to ensure safe operation. "AWE had not fully complied with licence condition 28(1) in so far as its arrangements to examine, maintain and inspect the structure were not adequate to prevent the degradation of the structure, and the resulting challenge to its nuclear safety functions," said an ONR spokesman.

The ONR served a formal improvement notice on the company on 8 November requiring action before the end of 2013 "to ensure that the structure is repaired such that its safety function is fully restored". The ONR plans to publish the notice and a report about it in February. It is believed the notice will criticise AWE for failing to carry out adequate maintenance on the building which led to it falling into disrepair.

Though the report will say the plant remained safe to enter, AWE could not give necessary assurances that it could withstand foreseeable "exceptional challenges", and decided to suspend operations as a precaution.

AWE is checking the condition of similar facilities at Aldermaston and its nearby Burghfield site.

AWE is run for the Ministry of Defence by a group of three private companies: Lockheed Martin and Jacobs Engineering Group from the US and the British company Serco. It provides and maintains the nuclear warheads for Trident missiles carried by four Vanguard-class submarines based on the Clyde near Glasgow.

AWE confirmed it had found steel corrosion in May, and "degradation" in other structural components during inspections in July and August. "At that time, AWE immediately suspended routine operations as a precaution," said an AWE spokeswoman.

The ONR improvement notice "formalises a lot of the inspection and review work that has already been carried out since August", she said. "AWE is working closely with the ONR to ensure that its inspections, safety measures and planning for remedial work are carried out with their full knowledge and consent."

Until the problem has been fully assessed "no firm date can be given for final completion of necessary works", she added. "Throughout this process we have kept our regulators, the MoD and our local liaison committee fully informed."

According to the MoD, the enforcement action had had no immediate impact on its submarine programmes. It is understood, however, that the long-term implications are still being assessed.

"A regular inspection showed signs of corrosion in a steel column and AWE is now working to inspect the whole building, assess the extent of the problem and consider how best to rectify it," said an MoD spokesman.

The MoD said buildings at Aldermaston had to be maintained to the highest standards, and though this plant currently does not meet the safety criteria, it did not believe there was any risk associated with the corroding pipes.

The Green MP, Caroline Lucas, is tabling a series of parliamentary questions about the corrosion. She welcomed the ONR's enforcement action, but argued that "serious questions" remained over the adequacy of the inspections conducted by AWE.

"The MoD's ancient and rickety nuclear infrastructure is clearly not up to the job of replacing the current Trident nuclear weapons system," she said. "Rebuilding it to modern safety standards will add even more to the vast costs of the programme."

Peter Burt, from the Nuclear Information Service which monitors Aldermaston, said: "We should be concerned that … the matter only became known when ONR insisted on reporting details in one of its regular reports."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/ja ... ent-safety

[GreekIslandGirl]

Marius Betondi said prolonged attack took place before other passengers boarded a plane to Ghana at Heathrow in January

Guy Grandjean and Matthew Taylor

guardian.co.uk, Friday 8 February 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/0 ... ten-claims

Asylum seeker alleges excessive force by escort guards

Police and the UK Border Agency are investigating a complaint by a 27-year-old man who claims he was repeatedly punched by private security guards before passing out as he was forced into a potentially lethal position during a failed deportation.

Marius Betondi said the prolonged attack by a team of four guards took place before other passengers boarded a plane to Ghana at Heathrow in January. Betondi says he was left with blood pouring from his face, cuts and bruises to his head and a broken nose.

At one point Betondi, who was handcuffed, said he lost consciousness as guards sitting either side of him at the back of the plane forced his head between his legs making it difficult for him to breath. The technique, previously nicknamed carpet karaoke by guards, is strictly prohibited as it can result in a form of suffocation known as positional asphyxia.

Details of the complaint come just days before the high court was due to hear a judicial review of the techniques used to restrain detainees during deportation.

Emma Norton from Liberty, the human rights organisation that is taking the case next week, said it had received "a great many reports" of people who claimed to have been abused or assaulted during deportation, and it said the government's policy on the use of control and restraint during removals was not fit for purpose.

She said Liberty had asked to see details of the government's policy on the use of force during deportations but had been turned down.

"We were very surprised when the home secretary refused to disclose that document to us in its entirety ... This meant that we couldn't be sure the techniques were safe to be used on an aircraft. For these reasons we decided to bring a judicial review of the home secretary's decision to withhold significant parts of that document and we are also challenging the underlying policy itself because we say it is not safe and not fit for purpose."

The latest alleged assault took place on 18 January when guards from the private security company Tascor – previously Reliance – took Betondi from Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre to Heathrow to board a flight back to Cameroon via Ghana.

According to Betondi's complaint, he did not fight back at any stage. He said the attack started when he was dragged to a seat at the back of the plane. As the handcuffs cut into his wrists he began screaming and he said it was at that point that the guards started punching him "as if it were a boxing championship".

"Blood started oozing out of my face, terribly. They broke my nose and injured my eye and all my teeth and gums, all my face was bleeding."

At one point he said he passed out as the attack continued. "They started pushing my head down, it was like they were stabbing me with knives on my spinal cord the pain I had. I went unconscious as they pressed me under that chair until one of them lifted me up and I recovered consciousness."

A doctor instructed by Medical Justice examined Betondi. Dr Charmian Goldwyn concluded: "The overall pattern of lesions is in my view typical of Mr Betondi's history of assault, and alternative explanations such as accidental injury or self-harm are far less likely causes."

Betondi, who is now back in Harmondsworth, said he was eventually taken off the plane by the escort guards. .

Tascor said it did not comment on individual cases but insisted its "methods of operations are compliant with the relevant statutory regulations, as well as agreed client guidelines and industry best practice," adding that any members who fell short of those standards would face disciplinary action. UKBA said it was aware of the alleged assault and was investigating but refused to comment further.

Next week's judicial review follows the case of Jimmy Mubenga, an Angolan refugee who collapsed while being escorted on a flight from Heathrow airport in October 2010. Passengers on the plane said they heard him shouting that he could not breathe as the guards restrained him. In the months after his death a Guardian investigation revealed that some staff had repeatedly raised concerns that potentially lethal force was being used against deportees. The whistleblowers also alleged that staff were poorly trained, and under-resourced. A current whistleblower has told the Guardian he has similar concerns about the current removals process.


A UKBA spokesperson did not answer specific questions about the case, but said: "Where we and the courts find that an individual has no right to be in the UK we expect them to leave. Where they refuse we will enforce their removal."

[supporttheunderdog]

Marius Betondi said prolonged attack took place before other passengers boarded a plane to Ghana at Heathrow in January

Guy Grandjean and Matthew Taylor

guardian.co.uk, Friday 8 February 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/0 ... ten-claims

Asylum seeker alleges excessive force by escort guards

Police and the UK Border Agency are investigating a complaint by a 27-year-old man who claims he was repeatedly punched by private security guards before passing out as he was forced into a potentially lethal position during a failed deportation.

Marius Betondi said the prolonged attack by a team of four guards took place before other passengers boarded a plane to Ghana at Heathrow in January. Betondi says he was left with blood pouring from his face, cuts and bruises to his head and a broken nose.

At one point Betondi, who was handcuffed, said he lost consciousness as guards sitting either side of him at the back of the plane forced his head between his legs making it difficult for him to breath. The technique, previously nicknamed carpet karaoke by guards, is strictly prohibited as it can result in a form of suffocation known as positional asphyxia.

Details of the complaint come just days before the high court was due to hear a judicial review of the techniques used to restrain detainees during deportation.

Emma Norton from Liberty, the human rights organisation that is taking the case next week, said it had received "a great many reports" of people who claimed to have been abused or assaulted during deportation, and it said the government's policy on the use of control and restraint during removals was not fit for purpose.

She said Liberty had asked to see details of the government's policy on the use of force during deportations but had been turned down.

"We were very surprised when the home secretary refused to disclose that document to us in its entirety ... This meant that we couldn't be sure the techniques were safe to be used on an aircraft. For these reasons we decided to bring a judicial review of the home secretary's decision to withhold significant parts of that document and we are also challenging the underlying policy itself because we say it is not safe and not fit for purpose."

The latest alleged assault took place on 18 January when guards from the private security company Tascor – previously Reliance – took Betondi from Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre to Heathrow to board a flight back to Cameroon via Ghana.

According to Betondi's complaint, he did not fight back at any stage. He said the attack started when he was dragged to a seat at the back of the plane. As the handcuffs cut into his wrists he began screaming and he said it was at that point that the guards started punching him "as if it were a boxing championship".

"Blood started oozing out of my face, terribly. They broke my nose and injured my eye and all my teeth and gums, all my face was bleeding."

At one point he said he passed out as the attack continued. "They started pushing my head down, it was like they were stabbing me with knives on my spinal cord the pain I had. I went unconscious as they pressed me under that chair until one of them lifted me up and I recovered consciousness."

A doctor instructed by Medical Justice examined Betondi. Dr Charmian Goldwyn concluded: "The overall pattern of lesions is in my view typical of Mr Betondi's history of assault, and alternative explanations such as accidental injury or self-harm are far less likely causes."

Betondi, who is now back in Harmondsworth, said he was eventually taken off the plane by the escort guards. .

Tascor said it did not comment on individual cases but insisted its "methods of operations are compliant with the relevant statutory regulations, as well as agreed client guidelines and industry best practice," adding that any members who fell short of those standards would face disciplinary action. UKBA said it was aware of the alleged assault and was investigating but refused to comment further.

Next week's judicial review follows the case of Jimmy Mubenga, an Angolan refugee who collapsed while being escorted on a flight from Heathrow airport in October 2010. Passengers on the plane said they heard him shouting that he could not breathe as the guards restrained him. In the months after his death a Guardian investigation revealed that some staff had repeatedly raised concerns that potentially lethal force was being used against deportees. The whistleblowers also alleged that staff were poorly trained, and under-resourced. A current whistleblower has told the Guardian he has similar concerns about the current removals process.


A UKBA spokesperson did not answer specific questions about the case, but said: "Where we and the courts find that an individual has no right to be in the UK we expect them to leave. Where they refuse we will enforce their removal."

(I don't actually hold with illegal imigration, in particular economic migrants who when caught try to abuse the process and use Asylum as a late excuse but even illegal immigrants have rights)

[GreekIslandGirl]

Illegal immigrants have rights? Sure they do; but the UK has found a FAST TRACK deportation method to loophole round those ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10761723

http://www.thesprout.co.uk/en/news/uk-b ... 10025.html

Many cases of Dawn Raids and "no-notice given" to prevent illegal immigrants going to the courts in the first place.

The richer countries have their seditious methods.

"The government remains committed to removing individuals with no right to be in the UK as quickly as possible."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/2 ... em-illegal

[supporttheunderdog]

Yes and if those rights are being violated by the UK government then I condemn that just as I condemn it in Cyprus: will you join me in condeming acts which violate those rights whether by either the Cypriot authorities or United Kingdom Authorities?

But the key question is has the UK immigration service ever disobeyed a court order as it is claimed the Cypriot immigartion autorities have done?

[GreekIslandGirl]

The UK cleverly fast tracks illegals out before they can get to courts.

http://stopdeportations.wordpress.com/2 ... -refugees/

[GreekIslandGirl]

Hmm, a serendipitous find - I wonder if this article about UK Government disobeying Court Orders ....

http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2012/0 ... -register/

... had anything to do with creating the conditions leading to hundreds (thousands?) of unnecessary deaths in NHS hospitals ...

http://news.sky.com/story/1048362/mid-s ... vestigated