Lili comes from Cameroon. Since the 1980s the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have imposed on Cameroon privatisation of railways, agriculture, forests, communications, electricity and water, all sold off to multinational companies, leading to massive cuts in wages and deteriorating working conditions. In 2002 the entire country was made into an export processing zone, meaning multinational companies can ignore labour laws, are exempt from paying tax for ten years, receive cut-price electricity and other services, and can take 100% of profits back to the imperialist countries where the multinationals are based. The building of a massive oil pipeline through Cameroon by Chevron and ExxonMobil to plunder the oil of neighbouring Chad, begun in 2000, has forced whole communities off their land. Public services have been slashed, as Cameroon is forced to spend more servicing its international debts than on health and education combined. Under the control of multinationals agriculture has been diverted to exports, leading to rising food prices within the country, forcing millions into food insecurity. When people have fought back the state has imprisoned, shot and disappeared activists, with a police and army trained by France and receiving military aid from the US.*


In such a situation, when Lili was offered a 'good job' in France she took the opportunity. Tragically, she was tricked, trafficked, and on arrival in France in June 2006 forced into prostitution, and escaped to Britain in August the same year. Lili has been deeply traumatised by this experience, and is receiving medication for depression. With her new son she has been struggling to rebuild her life in Sunderland, and they have formed strong links and many friends in the local community, including volunteering with the Red Cross. If forced to return to Cameroon Lili fears that she will be rejected by her family and community because she has had a child outside of marriage.

What you can do to help Lili and Keiran stay in Britain:
1.) Email/Phone/Message Easyjet, and urge them not to carry out the forced removal of Berminie Carine Lili - download model fax 'Lili letter airline.doc' attached. You can copy, amend or write your own version - please quote Flight U22431 Luton to Paris on Monday 18th January 2010 at 06:25

Easyjet:
Customer Services: 0871 244 2366
Customer Service 'livechat':  http://tinyurl.com/yf6vvjf
Press Office:  press.office@easyJet.com

2.) Please send urgent Email/faxes immediately to Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that Berminie Carine Lili be granted protection in the UK. You can use the attached "model letter" (Lili letter.doc) or you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include HO ref: L1142369)

Fax: 020 8760 3132
Email:  UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk
 CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
 Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
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3.) Join the demonstration in Newcastle:
Friday 15th January, 2pm
Outside Government Offices North East, Gallowgate (opposite St James's Park)
--
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!
TOGETHER WE CAN WIN!

TYNESIDE COMMUNITY ACTION FOR REFUGEES (TCAR)

*The information on Cameroon here was taken from an article at:  http://www.ilrigsa.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79:neo-liberalism-is-theft-the-case-of-cameroon&catid=44:trade-and-investment&Itemid=66