In June 2003, during a rebel attack on her village, Isha's father was shot and killed in the family home. In fear for her safety, Isha escaped but in her panic became separated from her other family members. She does not know what happened to her mother, sister and brother, or whether they are even alive. In August 2003 Isha arrived in the UK and applied for asylum. This was refused, as was her subsequent appeal. She made a fresh claim but this was also refused.

From 1989 to 1997 Liberia was engulfed in civil war, which ended following a peace agreement and the election of the warlord Charles Taylor as President. Between 1999 and 2003 there was further civil war when rebels from the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) waged war to unseat President Taylor.

With the election in Liberia of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf progress has been made since civil war ravaged the country. However, Liberia remains dangerous, especially for young vulnerable women such as Isha. If deported Isha is at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is extensively practised in Liberia. Moreover, Human Rights Watch in their report on Liberia in 2007 stated that rape and other forms of sexual assault and exploitation remain very serious problems. Isha also belongs to the ethnic group, Mandingo, which is discriminated against in Liberia. They are perceived as non-indigenous migrants by some segments of Liberian society and were considered supporters of the dictator Samuel Doe's regime. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) states that there is the possibility that the citizenship of members of the Mandingo ethnic group might be contested upon return and as a result, they might be faced with harassment and discriminatory treatment due to the perception that they are 'outsiders.'

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Penda Evaristus Youdjeu
I am writing from Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, due to be forcefully removed on Thursday 27th November to Cameroon via Kenya air line.

I went to sign at the police station last Friday as was requested to do by the court during my bail hearing and they arrested me again. This would mean the third time have been detained at the same police station then transferred to Colnbrook IRC.

They are about to take me to the political capital of my country (Yaounde) where the president I have been criticizing lives. This is a kind of soul trade. They have decided to kill me while washing their hands like Pontius Pilate did to Jesus.Please help me.

Penda E. Youdjeu

From: Penda Youdjeu

Justice for Penda Youdjeu
 http://www.petitiononline.com/just1810/petition.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Boris Johnson calls for illegal immigrant amnesty in London
Boris Johnson last night (Friday 21st November) called for an "earned amnesty" for thousands of illegal immigrants living in the capital. The London mayor has launched a review into the feasibility of granting an amnesty to an estimated 400,000 people living illegally in London. It is expected to report in two months.

Johnson has departed from the Conservative party line in his belief that people who have resided illegally for years in the capital should "earn" their citizenship. Although he has no legal powers over immigration policy, the mayor told Channel 4 he wanted to "lead the debate" on the issue. The mayor is expected to lobby the government once the City Hall review is complete, although both Labour and the Conservatives regard the issue as politically toxic and have in the past attacked the Liberal Democrats for suggesting it.

He first floated proposals for an amnesty for long-standing illegal immigrants during his mayoral campaign, prompting David Cameron to comment that one amnesty would just "store up" the need for a further one down the line. Johnson's spokesman conceded yesterday that the mayor "cannot change the laws on immigration", but he added: "It is his job as mayor to speak out for people in London on issues where he has relevant things to say."
Helene Mulholland,The Guardian, Saturday November 22ND 2008
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/nov/22/immigration-policy-london-amnesty