The Defend Abdullah Gawaan and Family Campaign is calling a demonstration/protest for the 10 May 2006 at 10.30 am outside Dallas Court, Immigration Reception Centre, South Langworthy Road, Salford Quays. This is in support of Abdullah Gawaan and his family including his five-year-old son, who have been asked to report 'to prepare their travel documents'. it is possible that they will be seized and maybe later forcibly deported against their will to Libya

A defence campaign, Defend Abdullah Gawaan and Family, has now been set up to defend them.


Abdullah Gawaan fled Libya in September 2005 with his wife and three children. He was put under surveillance in Libya by the security forces after openly criticising the Gaddafi regime, he was also arrested and beaten and tortured for five days during which he broke a disc in his neck. He lost his job after 13 years service and was blacklisted. He fled after a close friend, who also critcised the dictatorship was also arrested. The Labour government's official advice on Libya is that it is not safe for British citizens to visit the country, yet they want to send Abdullah and his family back to Libya, where torture is widespread and routine. This is palbably racist.

Now is the time to show our real support for asylum seekers; actions speak louder than words. Solidarity not sympathy! The campaign calls on all supporters of asylum seekers and refuhgees, anti-racists, socialists, anti-imperialists, anti-deportation campaigners, to:

Demonstrate on 10 May against the possible detention of Abdullah and his family! Defend all asylum seekers! No to deportations!