About the Inquiry
This Inquiry is publishing in two parts.
Part One, published in June 2022, is a summary of the existing body of evidence relating to these events. It reports on emerging themes and poses unanswered questions.
Part Two, which includes the convening of an esteemed Panel of highly respected and experienced experts and campaigners, will consider these themes and unanswered questions further, through analysis of written and oral evidence.
For further updates, visit the News and Press page.
The Inquiry launched its final report in November 2022, and is now closed.
THE PANEL
Chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, is one of Britain's most distinguished lawyers. She has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system, championing civil liberties and promoting human rights.
She has used many public platforms – including the House of Lords, to which she was elevated in 1997 – to argue with passion, wit and humanity for social justice. She has also written and broadcast on a wide range of issues, from medical negligence to terrorism to the rights of women and children.
Tandy Nicole is a Qualified Mental Health nurse, who graduated with a BSc in Science and nursing from the University of Stirling. She is also a professional Software Product Manager, Software Engineer and Research Analyst. Tandy also holds several Board and Panel positions, including being on an Advisory Board (LE) for the Scottish Government, a Diverse Experience Advisory Panel (DEAP) member for Mental Health Foundation and a Non-Executive Board of Director for Govan Community Project.
As a researcher, she has released research reports and articles challenging the government and immigration policies within the asylum and refugee system. Her recent report as a peer researcher: How will we survive?, gained wide attention and she was invited to speak in the Scottish Parliament. She uses her voice, lived experience, tenacity and boldness to fight the unjust cruel system which seeks to diminish people’s rights. She is also chairing campaigns and conferences such as the Right to work, Lift the ban and Women in Politics.
With 15 years of health care experience in NHS and the private sector, she continues to use her leadership expertise to impact change. Tandy also holds a BSc in Finance and Accounting from the University of Birmingham, a Postgrad Diploma in Science and Psychology - (CBT) and is currently studying MSc in Science - Data Science in Business.
Debora Kayembe FRSA was called to the RDC Bar in September 2000. As a Lawyer-Linguist, she focuses on matters involving activism, legal, political, and linguistics issues in Human Rights and International Law.
She started her own linguistic company in 2009, serving international organisations in the USA, UK and mainland Europe by helping refugees and asylum seekers to settle within various resettlement programs as well as supporting victims of war crimes.
Debora Kayembe joined the Assistant Counsel list of the International Criminal Court/Victim support section; she is included at BAR of the Barreau de Matadi/RDC; in 2016 she joined the language services of the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Court Bar Association; Debora served as Scottish Refugee Council board member for three years. In October 2017, Debora founded Full Options, which has 63 members worldwide; the charity runs between Scotland and Turkey.
Debora joined the Royal Society of Edinburgh / Young Academy of Scotland representing refugee minorities in August 2016, and three years later in 2019, history was made at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, when Debora became the first African Citizen to have her portrait erected on the wall of the society honouring her achievements and contributions to Scottish Society.
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the birth of the Black Lives Matter Movement, Debora survived an attempt of murder by a white supremacist who ambushed her car tyres with nails. As a result, Debora began a campaign against racism by launching the Freedom Walk Campaign, a civil rights lobby, promoting racial justice, in favour of social reforms and community harmony.
In 2021 Debora Kayembe became the first person of colour and only third woman to be elected as Rector of the University of Edinburgh in 437 years. She became a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Commerce and Manufacture in May 2022.
Menesia is an Entrepreneur, Professional nurse, and Media Trainer/Coach, and is passionate about Community Development. She is trained as a midwife and has worked with the UNDP as Community Developer. She was a Community Radio Manager for 8 years, where she did podcasts on topics around Culture and Diversity and Personal Development.
Menesia has also worked as a Public Relations Officer for a construction company, and as an HIV/AIDS coordinator in the Regional Constituency Office of her home town. Adding to her diverse experience, she has also served as a senior Prison Officer for 18 years and worked as an Education, Library & Recreation Officer where she developed "PACE" training kit (Positive Action Change Energy), to help bring a positive behavioural change within impacted communities. During her time with the UNDP, she travelled to several African countries working on education, Cultural Diversity & Community Enhancement amongst other themes.
In Scotland, Menesia has been heavily involved as an activist, panellist, volunteer and community member. She helped an organisation called Connecting Scotland with research for digital connection with data & devices. During COP26, she worked on a project called Garden on Wheels to highlight issues around climate change and food security. And most recently, she is serving on the People's Panel for Covid-19 Recovery Research.
Menesia was a resident in Park Inn hotel at the time of the tragedy in June 2020 and has been a community leader since actively participating in Refugee for Justice (R4J) campaigning activities.
Dr Jocalyn Clark is a public health scientist and professional journal editor. In August 2022 she was appointed International Editor of The BMJ (British Medical Journal), one of the world’s leading medical and global health journals. Previously she was Executive Editor of The Lancet (2016-22) where she led the portfolio on migration and health; Executive Editor at the public health research organisation in Dhaka, Bangladesh (2013-16); and Senior Editor at PLOS Medicine (2006-13).
She serves as a scientific advisor to the INDEPTH Network of health surveillance systems, board member of women’s rights organisations Global Health 50/50 and WomenLift Health, and Chair of the governance council of the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). A Canadian national, Dr Clark holds a BSc in biochemistry and microbiology, and MSc and PhD in public health sciences (with gender studies). Dr Clark is an adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and an elected fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of her scholarship and leadership in advancing gender equity, social contexts of health, and the health and rights of migrants and refugees globally.
Ishmail Yambasu is a Sierra Leonean who has two children. He attended one of the oldest universities in Sub-Sahara Africa and holds a BSc in Social Work.
He has a passion that seeks to unearth injustices and looks into how justice must be given to all. He believes that justice for all is a right, not a privilege. Ishmail is a team player. He enjoys reading books, meeting new people, watching football and appreciating green spaces. He holds a firm belief in sincerity, accountability, and respect for all, which are his guiding principles.
Graham Caie is a professorial research fellow and Dean of Faculties at the University of Glasgow where he was previously Clerk or Senate and Vice Principal.
He is a Lay Governor of the Glasgow School of Art and a former Vice President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; until 2020 he was Vice President of ALLEA, the Federation of European Academies of Science and Humanities, and a member of the court of Queen Margaret University. He is a former board member and deputy chair of the National Library of Scotland.
INQUIRY TEAM
The Panel will be supported by the Inquiry team as follows:
Helen Baillot will provide support in collating and summarising evidence submissions and will be available to research ad hoc questions emerging from Panel discussions.
Deeksha Pagar will provide research, communications, and project support.
Fiona Bawdon will provide communications advice and support.
Laura Harrison will co-ordinate the work of the Inquiry team and prepare agenda and documents (including final report) for Panel consideration, in line with direction from the Chair.
Shauneen Lambe will provide technical and legal counsel.