World Migration Newswire Archive

Kadesh Desturi Swedi a national of DR Congo a resident of Wolverhampton is currently detained in Oakington IRC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Friday 13th March on Ethiopean Airways flight ET701 from London Heathrow @ 21:00 to Addis Ababa and on to DR Congo.

Asylum man in rooftop stand off
A Nigerian asylum seeker staged an eight-hour rooftop protest after immigration officers turned up at his family home early yesterday. Steve Umoru, 43, clambered through a skylight window and then scrambled along the roofs on Dodworth Road.
Full article: Adam Civico and Kate Pickles, The Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 06/03/09
 http://www.barnsley-chronicle.co.uk/news/2,0000,2606.html

In solidarity and with utmost joy, the International League of People's Struggle joins today the celebration of women in general and their revolutionary struggle for emancipation and liberation from imperialism, feudalism and patriarchalism. We remember and honor millions of women who trailblazed and paved the path for women's liberation movement.

A small, loud protest was today held at the Italian embassy in London in solidarity with the migrant prisoners and residents of the Lampedusa island, Italy, which is being turned into one big concentration camp to protect the southern borders of Fortress Europe (see  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/422754.html). With two megaphones and leaflets, the handful of protesters from No Borders, Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, Global Women's Strike and All African Women's Group managed to draw some attention from neighbours, passers-by and, of course, cops.

Thursday 19th February was an international day of action to Defend Yahya Al Faifi and his family, who live in Cardiff, are now threatened with deportation after their asylum application was refused. The family were forced to flee Saudi Arabia in 2004 after receiving threats for Yahya’s trade union activity.

Detention centre's central building destroyed by fire during riots. The police prevents the immigrants from leaving the burning centre. Many suffer from smoke inhalation. 60 migrants may be injuried.

This morning a group of campaigners from Brighton and London travelled to Heathrow to do what they could to prevent the deportation of the Souhalia family see -  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/02/422246.html

Yahya al Faifi Must Stay in the UK

Lobby of the Home Secretary
Thursday 19th February 2:00pm
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
(Tubes: St James Park, Millbank and Westminster)

Yahya al Faifi, a very brave and self-sacrificing trade unionist - and a deeply committed socialist - is facing deportation back to a tyranny in Saudi Arabia that regularly tortures and "disappears" dissidents. On 12 February, he received a rejection letter for his appeal against the refusal of his asylum claim appeal. Now, he and his family are in imminent danger of deportation from Britain.

This will be a labour and trade union movement event with banners, large numbers and as wide representation as possible.

Inquiries/further information:
Mariam Kamish
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/Newszine103/Yahya.html

Raphael & Oluseye have left the UK
"I am sorry to have to report that, despite everyone's efforts, Raphael & Oluseye were taken from Yarl's Wood and put on a flight to Lagos yesterday morning. Five-year -old Raphael spent 69 days in immigration detention. Thank you all for all your support for mother and son."
Best wishes, George Heron
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/Newszine103/Raphael.html

Brighton Voices in Exile Press Release
12th February 2009 - For Immediate Release

For more details call Brighton Voices In Exile on 01273 328598/07825536489 or email  bvie@hotmail.co.uk

Photos of the family and interviews are available on request

Great news for all you lovely people - Pegah Emambakhsh is here to Stay
"We have just heard today that Pegah has finally been granted refugee status in the UK.  This is fantastic, wonderful, wonderful news and a great reward for all the hard work you all put in to ensure she was not sent back to Iran - so thank you, thank you, thank you.  Will be in touch again as soon as we have more details.  This  has been a long struggle but is a real vindication of what can be achieved when we all work together."

Love to all, Lesley, for Friends of Pegah Campaign

Background: Pegah Emambakhsh Must Stay!
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/emmaginnsfolder/emmaginnsfolder/aug%2007/pegah.htm

Leila, Soorena and Danoush put through the mangle
So it goes, when we last posted information the family had been taken to the airport on Thursday 6th February put on a plane taken off the plane and returned to Yarl's Wood.

On Monday night 9th February they were deported to Iran, on Tuesday 10th February they were brought back to the UK, released from immigration detention and are back in Halifax. No one at this stage is quite clear on what happened and why it happened the way it did. Once we have a factual summary of events, we will update everyone. Leila, Soorena and Danoush have had their world turned upside down and are deeply traumatized by the events. Seems pretty certain that we will be putting the family in touch with Bhatt Murphy solicitors, see next article.
Leila, Soorena and Danoush belong to Halifax
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/Newszine103/Leila.html

Oluseye Shauba and her son Raphael nationals of Nigeria and residents of Bury are currently detained in Yarl's Wood IRC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Thursday 12th February on British Airways flight BA0075 from terminal 5 Heathrow airport at 10:30hrs to Lagos.

Patrick Masengo, still here after raising a stink
As Patrick was on the plane close to take off and not aware of last minute court order to stay removal, (it is still unclear whether the escorts were informed that a judge had stayed the removal), he decided to take on-board evasive action which made quite a stink (I kid you not) and resulted in Patrick being taken off the plane and returned to Colnbrook IRC. Patrick alleges he was roughed up on the plane and in the escort van. He has now been moved to Dover IRC. Thanks to all who faxed/emailed on Patrick's behalf.
Background: Keep Patrick Masengo in the UK, no removals to DR Congo
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/Newszine103/Patrick.html

Nasty 'theocrats' attack anyone in their way!
Gorillas', wildlife and innocent civilians are massacred.
But you can help.
Support Wildlife Direct and Gorilla.cd NOW!

Have you ever wondered why as children we’re taught the importance and value of sharing? I have and it seems somewhat misplaced; it’s not as if as adults we have any need for such a value.

The much-lauded childhood principle of sharing runs contrary to those principles we practise as grown-ups. As adults we are scared about what the next man has, we envy his lot. We are scared about what sharing might do to our children’s futures. Those very children who think sharing is so important. So while as children we equate goodness with generosity, as adults we try very hard to undo this philosophy. Bizarrely this seems to work.

Leila, Soorena and Danoushm, on plane, off plane, back in Yarl's Wood
I can't believe what I'm writing here, but at 25 to six, twenty minutes after the plane should have gone, I had a phone call from Sourena on his phone. I couldn't hear a word he was saying, so asked if I could speak to someone with him. An officer said they were being removed from the plane and taken back to Yarl's Wood, and that's where they are today.

Having just spoken to Leila’s legal representative this morning he says the Home Office are ‘livid’ at what happened and want the flight rescheduling asap. It’s all still hanging on a thread…. He has spoken to Sourena. Evidently, all three of them were separated either in transit, for the flight or both, we are not sure – including 18 month old Sourena being separated from his mother! That is absolutely outrageous! Danoushm is still traumatized this morning, we hear. Sourena has scratches on his face. This is completely inhumane! Thanks to all who faxed/phoned on family's behalf.
Phil Townend
Leila, Soorena and Danoushm belong to Halifax
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/Newszine103/Leila.html

We call on social movements, particularly No Borders networks, and people of conscience to target Israeli and Egyptian embassies, institutions, and corporations. Particularly in the coming days of intensified border closure, we must work to pressure both governments to abide by international law and open Gaza for the free movement of aid, goods and people.

The start of 2009 offers little hope to the residents of Al Tanf, a refugee camp on the Syrian-Iraqi border housing over 700 Palestinians who had fled persecution in Iraq. No country has given any concrete pledge to take any of the refugees for resettlement in 2009, leaving them to battle the cold desert weather this winter with more despair than ever.

DR Congo: Rights Panel Condemns Abuses Against Children

Asylum [Iraqi's, bringing them in one door, kicking them out of the other]

Three quarters of refugee women 'have been raped'