TCAR will be holding an emergency demonstration against the deportation of the Odomusu family from 10-11am on Friday 15th February outside Government Offices North East on Gallowgate.

Background
Husband and wife Kunle and Iviat Odomusu have already lost all trace of three of their children, who would be aged 16, 14 and 10, as a result of the conflict in their home country of Nigeria. Now the family are faced with deportation back to Nigeria with their last remaining daughter, Ayomide, who they brought to Britain as a baby, after being snatched from their family home in Byker in a dawn raid on Wednesday morning by an immigration snatch squad. They are currently being held in Yarls Wood Immigration Detention Centre, and have been told they will be deported on a plane to Nigeria at 12.50pm on Friday 15th February on BA75 flight to Lagos.

For reasons of human rights and the family’s health and safety friends and supporters are asking that their removal be halted to allow for further consideration of their case, and further that they be granted leave to remain in Britain, where they are an important part of our community.

Kunle was being treated for depression and other pyschiatric problems, caused by torture suffered in Nigeria, which left scars on his head and back. The family is not in a fit state to be put on a plane, especially considering Kunle's mental health problems and his wife, Iviat's depression. Kunle is certain he will be killed if forced to return to Nigeria.

The Odomusu family have been living in Britain for eight years. Ayomide, their only remaining daughter has not known any other country. But after eight years the Home Office consideration of their asylum claim had still not finished! Suddenly Kunle was accused of working illegally and this lead to the premature rejection of their asylum claim.

Danny Matthews of TCAR commented:“After eight years attempting to survive on hand-outs below the poverty line, Kunle Odomusu is being accused of working to support his family, paying taxes and national insurance. After eight years living in a country people need to be allowed to rebuild their lives. That getting a job is a crime for which Kunle can be deported, whilst it is normal behaviour for someone born in Britain, shows how racist the British Labour government really is.”

The right to undertake legal paid work was taken away from most asylum seekers in 2002. Yet asylum seekers are excluded from the normal welfare and benefits system, and instead expected to live on benefits 30% below normal minimum income support. If Kunle did work to support his family then is this a crime? And does it deserve the punishment of being sent back to an unsafe country, where three of your children have already gone missing?

Tyneside Community Action for Refugees (TCAR) opposes the racist and degrading treatment of this and every asylum seeking family by the current Labour Government. While families continue to be dragged from their homes, into detention centres and onto planes against their will then we will continue to oppose and expose the shameful actions of the Home Office on the streets and in the media.”

Information about the current situation in Nigeria can be found in the attached letter to Jacqui Smith.

What can we do to support the family?

1) TCAR will be holding an emergency demonstration against the deportation of the Odomusu family from 10-11am on Friday 15th February outside Government Offices North East on Gallowgate.

Please come and show your support. TCAR is only strong when we work together. This family needs your help.

2) Fax/Email the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that Kunle and Iviat Odomusu and their daughter are allowed to stay in the UK. Due to the pressure of time we haven't been able to prepare a very good pre-written letter. If anyone has time to do this, please send it back to us and we will pass it on to the list please remember to include their Home Office Reference Number

Fax: : 020 8760 3132/ from outside UK+ 44 020 8760 3132

Email:  biapublicenquiries@bia.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
[Please note, new fax number, new email address]

3) Fax Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer British Airways and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Kunle, Iviat and Ayomide. Please adapt the attached fax as we haven't had time to do this.

Fax: 020 8759 4314 - from outside the UK + 44 20 8759 4314

Phone British Airways at Heathrow and complain about the flight. Stress that Kunle is currently being treated for mental health problems.

Customer Relations: 0870 850 9850

Phone Duty Immigration Officer at Heathrow on 02087456941 and ask to log your concerns about the removal. They may pass you back to North Shields immigration reporting centre. Different departments tend to pass the buck to each other. As many departments that are aware of this the better.

4) Let us know if you've been able to take action and please pass this message on.


Other TCAR information
Saturday 16th February at 3pm
TCAR discussion forum: What can we do once a case has failed? How can we campaign against all deportations?

A good chance to learn more and share what you know. Sometimes in the organising meetings we don't have enough time for discussion. The discussion forums are a way of sharing knowledge and educating ourselves. If you have any suggestions for future topics, please get in touch.

Next General Meeting: 8th March, 1pm St Thomas' Church, Haymarket