Skip to content or view screen version

URGENT: Zahra, Faisal and Rahim Byansi

Mhairi McAlpine | 15.01.2007 18:21 | Migration | London

Zahra Byansi and her two boys were detained when reporting at the Home Office in Glasgow on Monday last week. She was moved to Yarls Wood detention centre on Saturday while her friends protested outside the Home Office in Glasgow organised by the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees. Zahra and her sons have been in Glasgow for over four years. She has made a huge contribution to the local community.

Over the last year Zahra has actively supported many demonstrations organised by UNITY and other groups in Glasgow . In her local area she has been a driving force behind the Kingsway Asylum Group and the campaign of early morning vigils to protest against Home Office dawn raids.

Zahra needs our solidarity now.

She is due to be put on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET0701 at 19.00 hours (7pm) on Wednesday 17th January to Addis Ababa and then from Addis Ababa to Entebbe.

“[When] A failed asylum seeker, with a deportation certificate, arrives at Entebbe airport [they are] handed over to one of the security organisations. If suspected of political dissident activities, the person is taken to a safehouse for questioning. Rape, for young women, is inevitable. Children over the age of three are taken from their mother and put in an orphanage. Detention can last weeks, or months; a number of people have "disappeared" from custody.” (Caroline Moorhead , The Guardian Wednesday August 23, 2006)

Zahra is at great risk if she is returned to Uganda.

Zahra and her two sons have played an incredible role in helping asylum seekers in Glasgow to settle and integrate into their local communities. She has been an inspiration to all who have met her.

We are asking for urgent faxes to be sent to:

1. Ethiopian Airlines offices at Heathrow airport asking for the airline not to allow her on board the plane.

Ethiopian Airlines

Room 238

Terminal 3

Heathrow

Fax 0208 747 9339


2.Liam Byrne, Minister of Immigration's office asking for Zahra’s case to be reconsidered and the removal notice lifted. Please make sure to quote Zahra’s Home Office number; B1127212



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Support the protest outside Yarls Wood detention centre in support of Zahra - 2.30pm Tuesday 16th January.

Kingsway Amnesty Group are taking a minibus from Glasgow to Yarls Wood. Leaving from Kingsway Court at 6am tomorrow morning. There a few places still available. If you would like to go please email  noreenreal@yahoo.co.uk or phone the Unity Centre on 0141 427 7992.

If you have a car and can join the convoy - contact us!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Zahra has a temporary mobile and can be reached on 07870 859 687

--
The Unity Centre
30 Ibrox Street Glasgow G51 1AQ

Mhairi McAlpine