URGENT: . . . action alert . . . action alert . . . action

We have just heard that Ms Mbalu Sesay, a victim of rape and other torture in Sierra Leone, and her two young children born in Britain are threatened with deportation tomorrow Sunday 26 February.

Ms Sesay and her baby are victims of a brutal attack by security guards when they faced deportation on 13 February. Ms Sesay's 19-month-old baby was badly injured when "escorts" dragged her out of her mother's arms. Ms Sesay was beaten and suffered racist abuse. Since the attack, her baby has not been eating or sleeping and has been constantly vomiting. Ms Sesey reported the attack to the police and criminal investigations are still ongoing. However, the Home Office has refused to postpone removal directions and the police say Ms Sesey can be sent back as they will send the results of their investigation to her in Sierra Leone.

It is unacceptable that Ms Sesay, who is a material witness to the attacks on her baby and herself, is threatened with removal. She is terrified of being returned to Sierra Leone where she suffered rape by a group of rebel soldiers and she has been unable to find legal representation since being detained at the end of January 2006. Ms Sesay who has been in Yarl's Wood has told supporters from who have been visiting her that she is suicidal. She urgently needs to be allowed to remain in Britain, so that she can find a lawyer to pursue her asylum claim as well as the violence she and her children suffered during the attempted removal.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
? · · Please send an urgent letter of support to the authorities. Below is a model letter which you can fax/email and press them to cancel the deportation and release Ms Sesay.

Minister of State, Home Office, Tony Mcnulty,  mcnultyt@parliament.uk Fax: 020 7219 2417

Home Office - UKIS North Shields, Fax. 0191 257 2453

? · · Call/Fax SN Airlines and tell them about Ms Sesay's situation
Tel: 0870 735 2345 Fax: 01293 568 864
? · · Send this appeal to your friends and the organisations you know
? · · Send copies of any letters you write to  bwrap@dircon.co.uk or fax to 020 7209 4761

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25 February 2006 URGENT

Mbalu Sesay - d.o.b. 25.10.1980.

Home Office Ref. UFL S1154442

Port Ref. GAT/77616m

Crime No. GA1/590/06 (Sussex Police)

Ms Mbalu Sesay and her two small children (aged 2.5 and 1.5) have directions to be removed from the UK (Gatwick) on 26.2.06 flight no. SN3832 (7.00am) to Brussels and flight no. SN245 to Freetown (11.30 am). I/we am/are extremely concerned about her mental health as she is expressing suicidal feelings to her supporters.

I am gravely concerned that Ms Sesay's Human Rights are not being respected as she is being removed even though she has reported a crime (assault) which has not yet been investigated. Her removal in legal terms will constitute an 'abuse of process'. Sarah Edwards, Deputy Contract Manager wrote to Ms Sesay (16.2.06) saying somebody from UKIS would be in contact with her but this has not yet happened.

I understand that her MP Nick Brown (Newcastle) has asked your office to revoke the directions but that this modest request has been refused. Ms Sesay is entitled to be legally represented and had asked for assistance with this from advice workers at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre.

Since nobody has been found to represent her until next week I urge you to postpone Ms Sesay's removal immediately and allow her to find a representative who will help her and her family to seek justice by bringing her attackers to court.

Yours sincerely


Cc Nick Brown MP
Black Women's Rape Action Project