London, United Kingdom Nov 14, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - The View CIC is the only platform by and for women in the justice system. It provides a space for women in conflict with the law to share their art, words, and poetry, amplifying their trauma, hope and resilience. Their quarterly publication highlights the injustices women face. The View produces the Rebell Justice podcast and successfully started The View Café in London in 2023. Here, we highlight the plight of Farah Damji caught up in the criminal justice system.
Wood Green Crown Court's treatment of remand prisoner, Farah Damji, 58, who has stage 3 aggressive breast cancer and c-PTSD, violates her basic human rights including her right to life and blocks her access to justice.
On 11 November 2024, at Wood Green Crown Court, Judge Greenberg gave Farah Damji an impossible choice: remain in prison with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer until April 2025 or proceed with the trial without the benefit of a telecoms expert. The prosecution had only served the telecoms evidence 10 days prior, even though they had it since April. Farahs solicitor, Simon Natas, has described the case as unprecedented in his 25 years of practice:
"The delay in obtaining the Complainants [Nigel Gould-Davies] phone is due to his refusal to
give it to the police. The failure to serve relevant telecommunications data is entirely that of the Crown. Neither is the fault of the Defendant. The trial date is obviously not viable but this is in no way attributable to her."
Farahs suffering has been exacerbated by severe health complications and neglect. After a 13-hour surgery, she was chained to a prison officer 24/7 until her solicitor threatened HMP Bronzefield Director Jonathan French with a pre-action letter. Farah was hospitalized for three months with life-threatening infections, without regular access to fresh air. Despite offering £20,000 in cash security and the need for urgent chemotherapy, three Judges denied her bail, stating that no conditions will satisfy the Court. Judge Greenberg acknowledged the prison's inability to provide proper healthcare but still denied bail.
Judge Greenberg requested for the third time that the complainant voluntarily provide his medical records. Gould-Davies claims Farahs actions affected his life so severely that he fled to Berlin, needed medication, and suffered trauma. Several exs, A P and K, have confirmed that he suffers serious mental illness and has been on medication for the last decade. The Police National Computer and other sources confirm that he kicked his former girlfriend out of their home in the middle of the night.
Farah, facing cancer while held in prison, described her situation to Judge Greenberg as akin to being tried for rape without the victim providing a rape kit. The case has already resulted in Farahs eight-month incarceration, despite her innocence and serious health issues. If Judge Greenberg extends the custody time limits, Farahs legal team plans to seek a judicial review to challenge the judges decisions and highlight human rights violations to international bodies like the UN Committee Against Torture.
Meanwhile, Judge Dodd, who previously presided over the case, has repeatedly dismissed Farahs health concerns and even made disparaging remarks about her appearance, despite her recently undergoing seven surgeries.
Wood Green Crown Court's treatment of Farah violates her basic human rights under the Equality Act, which mandates that courts provide support to individuals with illnesses and disabilities. The courts actions disregard her dignity, healthcare needs, and right to bail.
The View's campaign seeks to raise awareness of Farahs case, urging the public to share her story, contact local MPs, and support the GoFundMe campaign to fund a report on cancer in womens prisons. This is an ongoing effort to highlight the systemic injustices Farah is facing in her trial and prison.
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1893705/episodes/16057755
MP letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ux9gt4vCU6Coz9OjcAyJZOdfQlCT6kOL_TXT638FkQ8/edit?tab=t.0
GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/minoritized-patient-shackled-24-7-after-cancer-surgery
We call for society to acknowledge the harm done to women, their children, and communities, and to understand their trauma. We advocate for the mass decarceration of women who pose no risk, improved training for legal professionals, and better funding for social justice initiatives.
5 years since the magazine was conceived as a prison publication, we remain committed to reframing justice. Join us in building a fairer, more inclusive justice system.
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Source :The View CIC
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
