Stop a deportation

[Udo Erasmus]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...eportation-rushed-to-hospital-91466-21359044/

 

[penderyn2000]

Good work Rhi and the rest of the no borderers.

I remember liking that when it came out - a good idea that, Udo. Ta. Will put it to the group and get onto WP/PR to see if they mind us using bits of it if it needs updating.

I've still got a pile of those leaflets if anyone wants to use them. Can't see any problem with updating them. Though WP produced them and they're obviously in line with WP's politics, they're still for general use and don't contain any specific party propaganda. Which begs the question why WP didn't seek co-sponsors of the leaflet to help bear the costs! Maybe such joint media initiatives around agreed aims could be something which comes out of the Convention of the Left in September. Locally the same thing could happen via the socialist forum, which we're hoping can become autonomous by the time of the COTL. Everyone welcome to the next meeting on Aug 6 on trade unions and the upsurge in struggle (see ad at http://radicalsocialist.org).

 

[Udo Erasmus]

Things are not looking good, the Judicial Review of their asylum application has been refused it seems.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...-evidence-bid-to-save-refugee-91466-21515729/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...-loses-fight-to-stay-in-wales-91466-21504760/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...er-loses-bid-to-stay-in-wales-91466-21500793/

Given the murder of Ama Sumani, this particular phrase from the UK Border Agency is sickening “We would never remove anyone who had been diagnosed as medically unfit to travel."

 

[llantwit]

Yes, it was refused.
http://noborderswales.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/kemi-ayinde-taiwo-salami-and-baby-yasim-denied-sanctuary/
This leaves them with very few choices. The NB group is working with them on a few possible avenues for thier campaign, but it doesn't look good.

 

[llantwit]

At the time of Ama Sumani's death Edwina Hart made quite a few headlines with her commitment not to deport people recieving treatment from the NHS in Wales. Here, here, and here, for example.
I wonder if this will apply in Kemi's case. Or will she have to be sent home and lose her baby before our Health Minister is moved by her plight?
She was quoted by the BBC as saying:

No-one would want to see a pregnant woman turned away from hospital if they were having difficulty with the pregnancy and people are fundamentally decent and they will understand this argument," said the minister. I'm simply looking at the human being at the end of the chain and saying if they've got severe health problems and they require help and assistance, as a civilised country we should give it.

Which is quite apt in this case, dontcha think?

 

[llantwit]

She was also quoted in the WM saying:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ms Sumani. However, as you will be aware Immigration is a policy area that is not devolved to Welsh Ministers, and after careful consideration the decision to remove Ms Sumani was undertaken by the Home Office. In relation to the point you raised about developing a protocol with the Home Office to allow others in Ms Sumani’s situation to remain in Wales to receive treatment, this will require detailed consideration, and also changes to the current NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 as amended in 2004. I have asked my officials to explore this issue further and will write again in due course.”

Hopefully this wasn't an empty promise, and something can now be done for Kemi.

 

[Udo Erasmus]

Maybe a press release welcoming Edwina Hart's comments and asking her to intervene in support of Kemi?

It would be good to really lean on the various politicians who supported Kemi and family earlier to be publicly supporting her now when it's come to the real crunch time and to say publicly that Kemi Ayinde, Taiwo Salami and baby Yasim must stay in Wales. If there is no legal avenue to stop the deportation, or the politicians have no power to stop the deportation, trying to drum up as much public awareness as possible and opposition is important, may be the only avenue left. In the worst case scenario, at least it might contribute to the movement to stop these kind of things happening in the future.

 

[Udo Erasmus]

Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff speaks out in support of Kemi Ayinde:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/w...fights-nigerian-s-deportation-91466-21793468/

“Women who are the victims of trafficking are amongst the most vulnerable members of society and, if we have any compassion at all, we should do all we can to assist them to make the transition to a healthy and fulfilling life. To deport someone who was brought to the UK under false pretences, held against her will and made to work as a prostitute, seems to me to be totally unjust and lacking all compassion.

I cannot understand the attitude of the Home Office in this case.

Sending her back to Nigeria could put her in danger. In justice, she should be granted the right of a judicial review of her case. I hope that following such a review she and her family will be allowed to remain in the UK.”

 

[llantwit]

Her MP Kevin Brennan has also appealed to the Home Sec to let her stay in Wales on compassionate grounds.

 

[softybabe]

Her MP Kevin Brennan has also appealed to the Home Sec to let her stay in Wales on compassionate grounds.

*crosses fingers and toes*