Anselme Noumbiwa fled Cameroon in 2006 because he was at risk of punishment for not adhering to the tribal traditions of the *Bamileke people. As the son and heir to the tribal Chief, Anselme was expected to assume his father's role, which included 'marrying' his many wives. When his father died in May 2006, Anselme refused to become the new Chief because polygamy contravened his Christian beliefs. In an attempt to force Anselme to comply with tradition, the village elders subjected him to the most degrading and terrifying torture.

Anselme's application for asylum was refused and the Immigration Judge who heard his appeal rejected the account of his experiences despite compelling evidence in the form of a newspaper account of his ordeal in L'Effort Camerounais, the newspaper of the Catholic Bishop's Conference in Cameroon. Anselme has since substantiated his evidence by providing an official letter from the Editor of L'Effort testifying to the veracity of the article and the integrity of the newspaper. He has also produced a medico-legal report commissioned by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture documenting his trauma and a report on Bamileke traditions, which is consistent with his story of abuse.

All of this has been rejected by the Home Office, who say that even in the event that his story were true, he could relocate to another part of Cameroon. Anselme's claim has therefore been refused, as has an application by Anselme's solicitors for a judicial review of the case.

Anselme's Member of Parliament, Dari Taylor, has made personal representations to Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, but her pleas on his behalf have been rejected.

Anselme was arrested in April and has been in detention since.

Anselme has lived in Tees Valley since July 2006. He attends Sacred Heart RC Church, is active in the local community and was studying English at Stockton Riverside College. His many friends and supporters are outraged at the unjust and inhumane manner in which Home Office officials have treated Anselme's case.

Supporters are urging the Minister and Kenyan Airlines, who will effect Anselme's forced removal on Monday to reconsider their respective positions. They have the opportunity to exercise compassion and save the life of a human being. In the name of humanity we ask that they do so.

Please consider circulating the attached letter and petition amongst your friends and ask them to join us in lobbying Liam Byrne MP and the Director of Kenyan Airlines.

Please take urgent action now
1) Fax, Sam Okwulehie, Group Area Manager Kenya Airways and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Anselme Noumbiwa - you can use the model fax 'AnselmeNoumbiwaKA.doc' attached. You can copy, amend or write your own version - please quote, Anselme Noumbiwa due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Monday 14th July 2008 at 20:00hrs on Kenya Airways Flight KQ101 to Nairobi and onward to Douala, Cameroon.

Let Kenya Airways know that it is not acceptable to call themselves 'the pride of Africa' and participate in the removal of Asylum Seekers from the UK or anywhere in the world.

Fax: 0178 488 8299 - from outside the UK + 44 1784 888 299

2) Please send urgent faxes immediately to Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne, Minister of State for Immigration, asking that Anselme Noumbiwa be granted protection in the UK. Please use the attached "model letter" (AnselmeNoumbiwaLB.doc) you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include the HO ref. N1126839).

Fax: 020 8760 3132 (00 44 20 8760 3132 if you are faxing from outside UK)

Please let the campaign know of any faxes sent:

Anselme Noumbiwa Campaign
 kjusticefirst@btconnect.com

Inquiries/further information:
Kath Sainsbury on 01642 601122
Justice First
9 Cromwell Avenue
Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2EF
 http://www.justice-first.org.uk/index.html


*The Bamileke (French Bamiléké) are a collection of Semi-Bantu (or Grassfields Bantu) ethnic groups most highly concentrated in the western highlands of Cameroon's West Province, west of the Noun River and southeast of the Bamboutos Mountains and in the Mungo region of the Littoral, Southwest, and Centre Provinces. The Bamileke divide themselves into over 100 individual groups, each under the rule of a chief or fon.

End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
Anselme Noumbiwa Campaign