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Irene & Nadeem Belong In Blackburn

John O | 26.09.2008 06:30 | Migration | Repression | Workers' Movements

Irene Nakalema from Uganda and her 15 month old son Nadeem are being held in Yarl's Wood IRC and due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Sunday 28th September on British Airways flight BA63 from Heathrow at 21.10 hrs. to Entebbe for onward travel to Kampala.

Irene came to the UK. in April, 2007 on a valid passport to attend a conference in Edinburgh. Whilst there and just before she was due to return to Uganda she received news from home that her husband had been seized from his home by armed men from the government. Irene's husband was a supporter of FDC (Forum for Democratic Change). He has not been seen or heard of since.

Irene was then terrified to return to Uganda, fearing that she too would be seized by the same group.

She immediately claimed asylum but was refused leave to remain. Despite her solicitor sending the actual newspaper from Uganda which carried the report of her husband's disappearance and mentioned Irene as the wife, the Home Office refused to believe that he had been arrested and that her life was in danger.

Their son, Nadeem was born in June 2007 in Blackburn.

Immigration officials came to pick up Irene on April 20th but she was not at home when they came. They left removal papers, one addressed to her and the other to her (then) 10 month old son!

On Tuesday, September 23rd, they came again and Irene and her young son Nadeem, now 15 months old were taken to Yarl's Wood. Nadeem is now suffering from diarrhoea.

Irene is terrified of being returned to Uganda and needs all the support we can give her. Irene has made a life for herself and Nadeem in Blackburn, is a regular churchgoer and is settled into the community

Please take urgent action now and help us to help get Irene back to Blackburn where she belongs.

All day to day/tomorrow Saturday and all day Sunday

1) Fax/Phone/Email, Willie Walsh, BA Chief Executive Officer, using the model letter 'IreneNakalemaBA.pdf' attached, which you can copy/amend/write your own (please ensure inclusion of the details - Irene & Nadeem Nakalema due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Sunday 28th September on British Airways flight BA63 from Heathrow at 21.10 hrs. to Entebbe.

Fax: 020 8759 4314
Tel: 084 4493 0787
Email:  willie.walsh@ba.com

2) Please send urgent faxes/emails immediately to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that Irene & Nadeem Nakalema be granted protection in the UK. Please use the attached "model letter" (IreneNakalemaJS.pdf) which you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include their HO ref: N1135424).

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

Email:  Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk


Please let the campaign know of faxes/emails sent:
Friends of Irene & Nadeem Nakalema
C/0: "Brian and Elsie Peel"

End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
Friends of Irene & Nadeem Nakalema

John O
- e-mail: JohnO@ncadc.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.ncadc.org.uk