Urgent request for action - Marek & Michel Mocko, need your help


Asylum seeker Marek Mocko and his eight year old son Michel have sought sanctuary in a Hull vicarage in a desperate bid to avoid being deported back to Poland, where they face certain death.


Removal directions have been set for 6.40am on Wednesday 27 February 2002 on British Airways flight no BA4470 from Manchester Airport on a plane bound for Warsaw.


Their home town was Racewo, Poland where they were persecuted for being Romany gypsies. They were severely beaten, often by the police, who threatened to kill them in nearby woods. When Michel returned home one evening covered in blood after a beating, Mr Mocko sold their possessions and set off for safety in England.


Marek and Michel have been living in Hull since December 2000, but their asylum claim was rejected a year later. They have received support from Hull North MP Kevin McNamara, Councillor Keith Toon and Simon Hughes MP - the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, as well as over 2000 local people in Hull.


Marek would be grateful for any help. Below is a model letter which can be faxed to the Home Secretary, David Blunkett MP.


Model letter (copy, amend, write yur own) to be faxed to Home Secretary David Blunkett:
Fax: 0207 273 3965 from outside the UK + 44 207 273 3965


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Rt. Hon. David Blunkett MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AT



Dear Home Secretary,


Re: Marek & Michel Mocko - Home Office Ref. M1089112


I am writing regarding the immediate threat of deportation to Marek Mocko and his eight year old son Michel.


They are asylum seekers from Racewo in Poland where they were persecuted for being Romany gypsies. They were severely beaten, often by the police, who threatened to kill them in nearby woods. When Michel returned home one evening covered in blood after a beating, Mr Mocko sold their possessions and set off for safety in England.


I would like to ask you to reconsider the decision to deport Marek and Michel Mocko to Poland. Please allow them to remain in safety in the UK. I would appeal to you to exercise your powers of discretion in this case and allow them to remain on compassionate grounds, outside the Immigration Rules.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,


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Please fax copies of any letters sent to NCADC on:
0161 740 7113 from outside the UK + 44 161 740 7113
or by email to  ncadc-nw@ncadc.org.uk