Human Rights EU and UN and violations

This Is a Guest Post...

It is incredibly difficult to talk about the subject of human rights for me without becoming righteous or indignant. Human Rights is something I firmly believe in, that all people have rights which should make sure they are afforded equal living and equal opportunities, that no one is oppressed or hurt needlessly. I believe we have a right to be protected and to be looked after, to be seen as equal, have freedom of speech and be free from threat or harm. I believe in the principles set out in the UN charter and the EU convention of human rights. There can be found here and here. We also hear a lot about the Geneva Convention, a subsection of the charter of human rights specifically relating to the practices of war.

Mostly we are unaware of what our rights are specifically, we take these rights for granted because for the most part in the UK our governments have upheld these rules and we have been treated fairly as people. However, when these rights are compromised we need to educate ourselves as to what our rights are and defend them. Currently the UK government has been told that it is not conforming to the UN charter of human rights on the points specifically relating to disability. The main points can be found hereand these are:

• The right to not be discriminated against
• The right to an education
• Right to employment
• Right to health
• The right to equal and fair justice
• The right to participate in culture and life

For the absolute full list of rights please see this list here. I want to focus on the first and last points I have shown. Firstly that we have the right to live without discrimination. George Osbourne shortly after the ConDem government came into power stood in parliament and said that all people on benefits where scroungers and that there would be strict reform on benefits for the disabled and sick as too many people where claiming these falsely and that benefit fraud was highest in regard to the benefits associated with the disabled and sick. In actual fact this is utter tripe, the actual money lost through real benefit fraud makes up just a tiny fraction of the amount of money the government loses each year. ThisGraph shows that the majority of 'fraud' is in fact mistakes either by the DWP or by applicants and just 20% is actual benefit fraud. Another Graph shows that just a tiny amount of money each year is lost because of benefit fraud. Compared to some of the other figures the £1.1 bil lost through benefit fraud is almost negligible yet those on benefits are being demonised and are suffering the largest cuts, shouldering the burden of an imaginary deficit.

So to support their arguement that the unemployed and the sick and disabled should shoulder a sickening amount of cuts the government publicises certain cases of fraud to newspapers and releases information only to certain newspapers who will write supporting stories. As you can see in this article (also the source of the graphs) the headlines are inciting, aimed to get people riled up and angry at people claiming benefits.

The reality is what the government has done is opened the flood gates on disability discrimination in this country. It has become normal and acceptable to just assume that anyone who is disabled is also a liar or to assume that because someone has a fluctuating condition and is currently well they are somehow lying about the other 50-90% of the time when they are so ill they are house bound. The governments planned policy changes have advocated disability discrimination and as such disability discrimination has taken a sharp rise, many more people are having a problem with it and lets face it, being sick and disabled wasn't easy street to begin with.


Now lets look at the right to participate in culture and to a life. The government under the UN conventions is supposed to do its best to remove obstacles and difficulties which prevent disabled and sick people from exercising this right. There are two things that the government is changing which will make exercising this right practically impossible for many disabled and sick people in the UK.

Time limiting ESA is currently in the impact assessment stage and the so called impact assessment research is ridiculous. You can read the report here (courtesy of Sue Marsh). They seem to think that time limiting ESA to one year wont impact:

• Health and well being
• The justice system
• Human rights

Now time limiting ESA is certain going to affect sick and disabled people in regard to their human rights. They will lose the ability and therefore the right to participate in culture and life as they are suddenly kicked from ESA onto the new universal credit and made to take a work placement which will potentially make their illnesses worse or be dangerous due to their disabilities. People are going to become entrenched and house bound. Simply put people will become trapped by an unsolvable circumstance. The ATOS system of assessment already fails 50% of the time as 50% of appeals are won and this is set to continue as ATOS isn't set to change. This however is the tip of the iceberg. As we know ESA is split and awarded into two seperate categories; The work related activity group and the supported group. Those in the work related activity group are the most at risk under these proposals as they are considered essentially fit to work despite the fact that realistically these people probably should not be working the majority of the time. 

DLA the other support for those with disabilities and long term illnesses is also going to be changed to the PIP payment which will be more difficult and harder than DLA for people to access as the guidelines will be increasingly strict. This again will rely on ATOS and their flawed WCA tests. So with less sick and disabled people able to access the benefits which afford them the right to live life and access culture how exactly is the government following any code of human rights or helping to protect the most vulnerable members of society?

It does get worse...Currently bills going through parliament include one to withdraw from the EU conventions of human rights. We are about to lose some of the laws which protect our basic rights. Fight for these rights, lobby MPs, write to newspapers. Do something! We all have to. Our human rights are already being abused by the current government, don't allow them to get rid of them altogether. You can access the bill here. Please help me and many others who have no voice in taking a stand on your rights and the rights of everyone in this country, lets make the government listen and lets make them at least stick to allowing us the basic human rights afforded to us!

Get MPs to Support the Consumer Credit Regulation (Regulation and Advice) Bill

There will be people mailing their MPs about this all the time, but there is a concerted email effort being carried out on the 10th June 2011 Lobbying MPs.








This event is to ask your MPs to support the bill to limit interest rates on legal lending services.... 

The Example email/letter is below: 

Dear (insert name of MP)

PLEASE I Ask that you support the Consumer Credit (Regulation and Advice) Bill.

I would like to draw your attention to the above Bill that has been brought in by Stella Creasey MP and other polticians who are deeply concerned about some of the crippling interest rates used by Legal credit agencies and the shops that offer credit terms for goods with unfairly high interest rates.

I would welcome greater involvement by the councils to control the number of buildings used by credit agencies and would also welcome the use of Post Offices to offer financial services which provide fair credit products to the consumer.

My reasons for asking you to support this bill comes from a range of observations of people who live in the local vicinity and comments I hear within my community. Many people, most of which live on the breadline, use these kinds of services for essential items or bridging finance, but then find that the repayments increase their hardship. The Services arent enabling, they are financially disabling further people who cant afford it.

(((((((((You could insert an example of how it has affected someone here))))))))

I would therefore request that you consider giving your support to this bill and in doing so, help those who live in poverty receive a fairer deal in connection with financial products such as those mentioned. I also feel that by supporting this bill, you may be helping people to fight against, what I believe to be, predatory lending.

Yours sincerely,

Name and address.

_______________________________
Send this to your MP to ask for support for the bill to stop people getting ripped off who cant really afford it. 

Fight The Welfare Bill Now - Lobby The MPs.

MPs are expected take a final vote on Iain Duncan Smith’s Welfare Reform Bill this month, June 2011. The LRC Welfare Reform Bill briefing sets out why the Bill should be opposed, and was sent to every Labour MP in March (the last time Parliament debated the Bill).

The Bill is an attempt to scapegoat those on welfare, part of the coalition’s plans to slash £18 billion from welfare payments. The plans will also further privatise welfare delivery and result in a less generous and more punitive welfare system at a time when people need it more than ever. Last time, the Labour frontbench abstained on the Bill, this time we need Labour to pick a side and clearly vote against the Bill - banishing the legacy of privatisation, sanctions and workfare that was pushed by New Labour ministers like James Purnell.

This is definitely when You need your MP to Oppose the Bill

PCS has also recently launched a new pamphlet, ‘Welfare: an alternative vision’. The 24-page booklet was unveiled at a public meeting in Brighton – during PCS’s conference in the city. The aim is to arm activists with the information needed to campaign against attacks on benefits – and to put forward ideas for the future of the welfare state. Speaking at the launch, LRC Chair John McDonnell MP, said:

“This small booklet challenges the big lies that form the basis of this government’s welfare reform policies. Every time a politician or political commentator tries to spew out the same old myths about scroungers and benefits fraud or the abuse of the system, just swat them intellectually with the facts and arguments set out in this excellent booklet.”

Defend jobs. Even though unemployment remains high, in May the government announced a further 2,400 job cuts in the Department for Work and Pensions. Lobby your MP against these cuts.



________________________________
________________________________________________________
Suggested letter:

Dear (MP)

I write to ask that you OPPOSE the Welfare Reform Bill on this months vote.

The Bill is an attempt to scapegoat those on welfare, part of the coalition’s plans to slash £18 billion from welfare payments. The plans will also further privatise welfare delivery and result in a less generous and more punitive welfare system at a time when people need it more than ever.

There is true need within this country.

Please note the FIGURE of £18 Billion is a "We will reduce regardless" figure that ignores the True and Actual Needs within this society.

I therefore on vote request that you oppose this Bill

Name address etc.


____________________________________________________________






Send this to Your MP, And as Many others as you can. This is due for a vote This week, if it gets a time slot. 

Shocking Screenshots

I recieved these screenshots that were taken from a facebook page. It seems honest questions were being ignored.

I was asked to blog these as the page seems to be mainly people asking why Steve Cram is involved with ATOS. The quality is as recieved.

The Virtual Gherkin Cannot comment on the nature and content of these screenshots in any way.

It just seems incredible that there are a huge number of questions, and many other screenshots I was sent full of much the same, whereby questions asked were ignored. I also Note that there are comments that tell of posts being deleted without explanation too.

All The Virtual Gherkin can ask is why has this happened?

Can not Mr Cram, MBE reply or comment to what seems a huge amount of questions based around a singular theme. 

FIGHT THE WELFARE BILL - Lobby Your MP : 6th to 11th June

MPs are expected take a final vote on Iain Duncan Smith’s Welfare Reform Bill this month, June 2011. The LRC Welfare Reform Bill briefing sets out why the Bill should be opposed, and was sent to every Labour MP in March (the last time Parliament debated the Bill).

The Bill is an attempt to scapegoat those on welfare, part of the coalition’s plans to slash £18 billion from welfare payments. The plans will also further privatise welfare delivery and result in a less generous and more punitive welfare system at a time when people need it more than ever. Last time, the Labour frontbench abstained on the Bill, this time we need Labour to pick a side and clearly vote against the Bill - banishing the legacy of privatisation, sanctions and workfare that was pushed by New Labour ministers like James Purnell.

This is definitely when You need your MP to Oppose the Bill

PCS has also recently launched a new pamphlet, ‘Welfare: an alternative vision’. The 24-page booklet was unveiled at a public meeting in Brighton – during PCS’s conference in the city. The aim is to arm activists with the information needed to campaign against attacks on benefits – and to put forward ideas for the future of the welfare state. Speaking at the launch, LRC Chair John McDonnell MP, said:

“This small booklet challenges the big lies that form the basis of this government’s welfare reform policies. Every time a politician or political commentator tries to spew out the same old myths about scroungers and benefits fraud or the abuse of the system, just swat them intellectually with the facts and arguments set out in this excellent booklet.”

Defend jobs. Even though unemployment remains high, in May the government announced a further 2,400 job cuts in the Department for Work and Pensions. Lobby your MP against these cuts.



________________________________

Suggested letter:

Dear (MP)

I write to ask that you OPPOSE the Welfare Reform Bill on this months vote.

The Bill is an attempt to scapegoat those on welfare, part of the coalition’s plans to slash £18 billion from welfare payments. The plans will also further privatise welfare delivery and result in a less generous and more punitive welfare system at a time when people need it more than ever.

There is true need within this country.

Please note the FIGURE of £18 Billion is a "We will reduce regardless" figure that ignores the True and Actual Needs within this society.

I therefore on vote request that you oppose this Bill

Name address etc.

IS THIS NOW? New Networking in relation to old - I think...

Something I read from an American Blogger Jon Bischke says, and I agree "We live in an age where with a solid Internet connection and someone to guide you through the process of self-education (admittedly something many people don’t have) you can learn just about anything. Certainly enough to qualify for some of society’s highest-paid positions. But unfortunately that’s not enough. Because despite the fact that it’s easier than ever to learn the things that will qualify you for a well-paid position in the world, it’s not easier (perhaps even harder) to gain access to the networks that will let you achieve your full potential."

This is further limited by deliberate social policies and ideologies imposed on the general populace by Already in place financial differences and huge rifts between levels within society, and those that maintain those structures.

The problem is there is a phrase that I call Protectionism that the Privileged sectors of the society concerned actually force on others saying its a necessary part of maintaining order within society.

The richness of some are restricted by selfish desires of others, and by the rules being set by the winners. Who were already winners by their original placements and access to key enabling networks.

So How to the people who are put upon gain access to these networks and influential routes to priviledge?

By learning and adapting to resist the restrictions and finding new ways to extend their opportunities.

Who will teach them but themselves?

Those within those lower echelons who can realise and see the possibilities have a duty to teach, enable, and smash the artificial limitations placed upon those who did not, at first , have access to the networks to achieve full potential and assist a general understanding that all people have the right to be treated in a fair way, rather than subjugated for their lack of access to enabling networks.

The time of those restrictions is over, and now is the time that people should be able to enable what they have access to.

The original premise of not able to network sufficiently has gone.

Atos Launch an attack on website

The Details can be found on this link.

Atos appear to be saying that monitoring what they do, in a particular manner, is libelous / illegal .

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/05/479784.html 




The Virtual Gherkin Must State that this is information recieved and relayed on, and is a comment by others after the event of Atos sending a legal letter to a website who were logging experiences of people being dealt with by ATOS Healthcare.

Imagination Land - The Clouds That Cuckoos live in?

 Written By Barbara Hulme, Member, Virtual Gherkin. 

The Imaginary World Of Politicians/Parliament

There have been recent reports in the papers of politicans making up imaginary scenarios to claim imaginary expenses (oops money was real!!) didn’t mean for it to go that far!! Imaginary ring fencing of the NHS, imaginary ring fencing of education Etc. Taking this on board here are some more imaginings from parliament which are having a huge impact on the sick and disabled.
Yesterday there was a meeting of a Parliamentary Select Committee concerning Employment and Support Allowance and the new Work Capability Assessment (WCA) . ATOShealthcare attended and spoke as also did Professor Harrington. 
Some interesting points emerged such as.
1. If you are found fit for work it does not mean that you are not sick/disabled.
2. If you are placed in the work related activity group (WRAG) which means you will be capable of work in the future – it’s irrelevant if your condition is deteriorative!! In the daydream imaginative world of the politician your condition can miraculously improve permanently just by being placed into this group, despite what Drs/Consultants say to the contrary!
However the most amazing bit of imaginary world has to be what emerged and was taken on board by all politicans present and professor Harrington ….. It is not the task of the WCA to test if you are capable for work in the real world ie in real job scenarios!
It is the job of the WCA to test if you are capable of work in a fantasy world which does not exist and of which there is no description!
This in essence means that many of those found fit for work or placed in the WRAG are not fit for work in any normal meaning of the term.
To work in this imagined world the sick and disabled people are now moving around freely in imaginary wheelchairs with imaginary access to all forms of transport and all buildings, with imaginary bosses allowing imaginary amounts of time off work, when too ill to get there and too ill to work from home, where imaginary taxis charge imaginary money for imaginary journeys undertaken and where painful conditions suddenly become pain free.
Hey if things are getting this unreal – I think I’ll fly!!

Ask Steve Cram NOT to be Ambassador to ATOS -Event 31st May.

Virtual Gherkin On Facebook are running a mass email campaign on 31st to request Steve Cram removes his association as ambassador to ATOS I.T. (Part of ATOS ORIGIN)

Steve Cram has joined as an Ambassador to ATOS I.T. for 2012. ATOS I.T. IS PART part of The ATOS company. The letter Tells him the reasons he should disassociate himself and publicise why he has done so. The Date Planned: Please all send this out on Tuesday the 31st You can copy and paste this letter: ______________________________________________________ Dear Mr Cram With all the charity work you do and the fact that you have been involved with the paralympics, I find it very suprising that you have made the decision to be amabassador for any part of ATOS. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/feb/23/government-reform-disability-benefits please read this article. You may or may not be aware that on Wednesday 11th May there was a demonstration of disabled people in London - the biggest ever demonstration of disabled people. They were campaigning against ATOS healthcare, part of ATOS origin, and the barbaric WCA tests they carry out on the sick and disabled and the notrious tick box LIMA computer system used by them in ascertaining people as fit for work or not. And It may interest you to know that many Charities, Organisation, Medical Professional, Scholars & Academics, Independent Inquiries & Commissions have made clear in unequivocal public statements that the Work Capability Assessment in it’s current guise is “NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE” but is willingly administered by ATOS Heathcare There are many articles throughout the press concerning deaths and suicides caused by this companies actions. Please withdraw your support for them and speak to any disabled charity to find out what the disabled community, charities and the CAB think regarding this company. It would be fabulous if you would WITHDRAW YOUR SUPPORT for this company and publicise why! Thank you for any help you are able to give in this matter. Yours sincerely Name and Address etc ______________________________________________________ YOU SEND IT HERE:  info@cram-alert.co.uk < e-mail address.

You can join the Facebook group here:  www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_116578655088997

Virtual Gherkin nothing to do anymore with Armchair Army

The Armchair Army

They Barred a lot of very good people due to the inflexible administration

Also they wanted exclusivity over Any action they raised.

The Virtual Gherkin was supporting them via the blog.

So Then It was requested that to continue the Virtual Gherkin works we should raise a Facebook group.

So We did.

No animosity with any members of armchair army group. The inflexible and draconian nature of their admin forced this action to happen.

A Bit about my Illness.

Jules Real Clarke

****Jules shares this *****

How about: a virus most get rid of within weeks. And only a few dont get rid of. And it rages.
Its discovered, damage has been done.
Then the diagnosis messes your head due to possible death sentence.
Agressive drug treatments, internal organ damage, and a constant " are the drugs going to give up" thing.
And having damage enough that toxin buildups is ten times longer to rid than those without the thing, and they acknowledge a certain amount of damage to insides that they treat you as if next stage is present in order to try and stave off next stage, where cancer or renal failure is almost definite at some point but you dont know when or if it'll happen, and the big doubt that 6 sets of drug treatments didnt work, and the current one is working but last option.
If fails = Death. Fatigue, mental head issues the lot. <---they call that invisible. Thats been with me 10 years or thereabouts. And the damage also causes other symptomatic stuff to happen. <---Honesty from jules.

2 hours ago ·  ·  · 

• • 

    Jules Real Clarke This is what people dont understand with invisible illnesses.

    2 hours ago · 
  • 

    Loraine Hardy Yeah I agree. Just because people can't see it, doesn't make it any less of an illness/disability.

    about an hour ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke ‎>.< ouch sometimes loz.

    about an hour ago · 
  • 

    Loraine Hardy 

    My auntie looks like everyone else to the naked eye, but she's registered blind, has marfans syndrome and an aortic aneurysm. She's had the interrogation from people about her blue badges in car parks, even when she got her guide dog people...See more

    about an hour ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke When I get reflux, oesophagitus and duodenitus periodically as a sideline. Thats a "nasty" bit.

    8 minutes ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke Hate the gastroscopy proceedures.

    8 minutes ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke Also hate biopsies when they crash a nerve by the intrusion

    7 minutes ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke The scans are painful cos they push a little bit hard.

    6 minutes ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke Cancer checks every three or four months.

    about a minute ago · 
  • 

    Jules Real Clarke Full blood tests often - feel like a pin cushion

    about a minute ago · 

Major Email campaign on 26th May

The Virtual Gherkin Facebook Group have launched an event that they are asking as many people in the UK to take part in as possible.


Basically There are Disabled and Able people in this country completely disgusted with The lack of application to her Role of Minister for the Disabled - that minister being Maria Miller .


The major email campaign was launched and a Letter that can go to all MPs and the Media too was crafted amongst a seriously concerned group of disabled people.




They arrived at a Letter that they hope anyone who has seen the treatment of Disabled people fall apart, and even cause deaths (more are being reported weekly) , will gladly send in support of a worsening and potentially disastrous application of Government hitting the Vunerable in such a way as probably never been seen before in this country.


The letter is below. And the Group are sending this via email to MPs and Media on 26th May.
Will you take part too? 

Dear Sir(s)

I with many others, believe that there should be a vote of no confidence in Ms Maria Miller MP Disabilities Minister for the following reasons:

1) For failing to fight hard enough to ensure that disabled people receive a fairer assessment of capabilities (specifically the Work Capability Assessment implemented by such companies as ATOS) and which is generally acknowledged to be a flawed test.

2) I and many others believe that, in the light of the recent/threatened cuts to benefits for disabled people, and the cuts affecting disabled people generally, will bring harm, a loss of dignity and a loss of independence to disabled people both at home and where applicable, in their working lives. I and many others believe that her absence at the ‘Hardest Hit March’ on the 11th of May 2011 shows that she is reluctant to engage directly with disabled peoples concerns.

3) To the best of my knowledge, I and many others believe that Ms Maria Miller, in her role as MP has not taken a sufficiently strong public stand to protect disabled people from disability hatred. Such disability hatred may include acts perpetrated by the media or individual perpetrators of verbal abuse, violence and/or criminal damage when it occurs.

It is for the above reasons that I and many others believe that Ms Maria Miller MP is out of touch with the worries, concerns and outrage felt by disabled members of society and therefore, urge ministers to press for a vote of no confidence in Ms Miller and raise a call for her resignation. 

Name, Address. 

That's the letter. And people are sending it "as is" 


Join the group on Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_116578655088997