BARAC UK

07/04/2026

But Zita Holbourne of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts told the Morning Star the question was “not relevant when considering who gets a visa,” suggesting to deny visas based on such a concern would violate applicants’ human rights.

“The proposal is clearly racist in intent, designed to target black people in communities,” she added.

“Britain’s wealth was built off the backs of colonisation and enslavement and trafficking of African people as human chattel…

“It is legitimate to call for reparations for the damage, trauma, pain and economic impacts on individuals, communities and countries. Reparations in any case are not limited to financial compensation but can be about education, healing, knowledge, heritage and culture — as in [the Caribbean Community’s] 10-point plan.”

CAMPAIGNERS against racism and colonialism condemned Reform today for an “utterly ridiculous” proposal to block visas for anyone coming from a country that calls for reparations for the slave trade.Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf claimed Britain made “huge sacrifices to be the first...

13/03/2026

BARAC UK is supporting the case of 5 former employees of Metanoia Institute bringing claims in the Employment Tribunal for whistleblowing, victimisation and constructive dismissal linked to institutional racism at the training Institute for psychotherapists and counsellors.

Today marks the 14th day of the hearing and end of week three. The Claimants have now given their evidence but the key witnesses for the Respondent including the CEO will be giving evidence Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th March next week.

BARAC UK supporters are encouraged to attend for any part of the hearing on those days you are able to to give some much needed practical solidarity to the Claimants.

To attend the hearing as a member of the public, please provide the reference:

E Hussein and Others v The Metanoia Institute, Case number 2217082/2023

Send the email to:

[email protected]
requesting to attend the hearing as a member of the public.

To date over £32000 has been raised towards legal fees. If you would like to donate here is the link to do so: https://www.gofundme.com/f/challenge-institutional-racism-in-psychotherapy-training

Do feel free to show some love and also send us any messages of solidarity you would like us to pass on to the Claimants: Eiman, Maya, Malgorzata, Jane and Cathy.

Photo image by thank you to for covering the story so far alongside other members of the press / media.

We are a group of five psychological therapists, researchers,… Eiman Hussein needs your support for Help Us Fight Institutional Racism in Psychotherapy Training

26/02/2026

My comment on Baroness Amos' interim report into NHS maternity services:

Black Activists Rising Against Cuts’ Zita Holbourne said: “Racism exists across sectors including in health. The experience of black and brown women in maternity care is a reflection of wider societal stereotypes and perceptions.

“During pregnancy and childbirth all women need high levels of care and understanding and crucially a stress free environment to bring their babies into the world.

“Given the NHS was built on migrant labour and is made of of health professionals of multi ethnicities, cultures and religions should be the perfect landscape for cultural awareness and inclusivity but the experience of black, brown and Muslim women in maternity care , demonstrates just how systemic and institutional racism works, permeating systems, processes and policies.

“This is supposed to be a joyous, celebratory time, not one of worry and fear and more crucially the wellbeing of both mother and child is paramount and that means race equality, cultural awareness and humanity must be a central part of all stages maternity care.”

NHS maternity services are failing women and babies through a reluctance to admit mistakes, racism and poor staff relationships, a government-ordered investigation revealed yesterday.An interim report published by Baroness Amos, leading the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, found deep-r...

26/02/2026

Press Release: OBV and BARAC UK Respond to Retrospective Removal of Jury Trials

PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE RELEASE The late Reverend Jesse Jackson with chair of BARAC UK Zita Holbourne 26th February 2026 Operation Bla...

24/02/2026

Black Activists Against Cuts chairwoman Zita Holbourne said: “This move will disproportionately affect those who already face structural disadvantage.

“Judges, however conscientious, operate within an institutional culture shaped by daily exposure to police evidence and prosecution narratives.

“Juries, drawn from the community, provide a democratic counterweight.

“They reflect a range of social realities and are not embedded within the machinery of the system.”

She warned that retrospective removal of jury trials will “deepen mistrust, increase perceptions of injustice, and in our view risks increasing discrimination in outcomes.”

The groups have called on the government to reconsider any retrospective application of judge-only trials and to engage meaningfully with communities most affected by criminal justice reform.

BLACK activists have raised concerns over government plans to apply judge-only trials retrospectively to defendants who were expecting jury trials.Justice Secretary David Lammy announced in December that jury trials in England and Wales for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three year...

16/02/2026

Dr. Eiman Hussein, Psychotherapist and Claimant said: “Despite our efforts to address the racism that exists in Metanoia Institute internally, the responses we received were profoundly disappointing with devastating impacts. This Employment Tribunal is our last option to ensure what happened is truly seen, heard and legally tested.”

Swept under the carpet’

Dr. Maya Mukamel, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Claimant said: “What we both experienced and witnessed at Metanoia Institute speak to a broader pattern within psychotherapy training institutions, where racism is rife but where the realities and impacts of it are rarely named openly and too often denied or swept under the carpet in an attempt to isolate and silence those who speak up about it.”

Dr Malgorzata Milewicz, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Claimant said: “Our group of Claimants which includes some of us who are white and white presenting, recognise our responsibility to challenge racism within our institutions and professional communities. Standing alongside our Black, Brown and colleagues of colour is an ethical obligation grounded in anti-oppressive practice. We must examine power, confront our own complicity, and listen when harm is named without defensiveness or retreating into neutrality.”

Taking action
Zita Holbourne, Chair & Co-founder of BARAC UK said: “The tenacity and determination of these five courageous women in the face of the most horrific treatment by their former employer because they ‘dared’ to stand up to Metanoia Institute is to be applauded. But this case is about more, it is about putting psychotherapy training organisations on notice that we will not allow them to create discriminatory and hostile environments for students and workers and they must be accountable and take urgent action to root out and prevent harmful discriminatory practices.”

The Claimants are supported in their legal challenge by their trade union; The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU), Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) and Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK and have gained widespread support from others.

Five former members of staff will commence their legal challenges against Metanoia Institute - who they have accused of institutional racism

12/02/2026

Press Release: PSYCHOTHERAPY EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACCUSED OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM

Press Release: PSYCHOTHERAPY EDUCATION INSTITUTE ACCUSED OF INSTITUTIONAL RACISM Immediate Release Date: 12 th of February 2026 ...

25/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17RHVhfHBM/

22/01/2026

A reminder of the annual Justice for Jay vigil outside Brighton Police Station, this Saturday. This is the 27th anniversary , the Abatan family are still seeking justice and will make an announcement about latest developments at the Vigil.

24/12/2025

My end of year feature in the Morning Star.

BRITAIN is a land made up of migrant communities who came here, contributed to society, to the economy, to popular culture, whose labour has contributed to its very survival, over centuries not just decades.Without the contribution of the many and varied communities that have journeyed to Britain an...

12/11/2025

BARAC UK is supporting this case and campaign against racism in psychotherapy training, please support and share.

Challenging Racism in Psychotherapy Training BARAC UK is supporting a campaign and legal challenge by former employees of Metanoia Instit...

11/11/2025

Zita Holbourne, co-founder of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts, said: “This is reminiscent of the 1950s and ’60s when Windrush generation nurses faced horrific racist abuse and patients demanding to be cared for by white nurses.

“That the St George’s flag has been hijacked as a symbol of fascism and racism is bizarre.

“Saint George was from the Middle East, served in the Roman army, spoke Greek and had an ethnically mixed heritage.

“Black and brown nurses should not have to go into unsafe environments where they are not welcomed and respected or under threat.

“Proper risk assessments need to be carried out to ensure safety and they should not be forced to go to any environment where their safety is at risk or where they might be subjected to abuse and certainly should not be subjected to lone working when travelling into hostile areas.”

HEALTH leaders have cautioned that St George’s flags put up by far-right activists are creating “no-go zones” for NHS staff. A poll of senior managers found that 78 per cent were either extremely or moderately concerned about discrimination towards NHS staff from patients and the public.T...