Fotso Kamga back in Glasgow where he belongs
Just to update you with some good news.
Fotso Kamga was released from detention and arrived in Glasgow last night. He is very tired as you can imagine but he is also very inspired, by the support from the campaign, to continue his legal fight to stay in UK.
He is appreciative to everyone who wrote / faxed support to Airline, to Home Secretary, First Minister etc and the online petition.
Thanks again for helping Fotso with his battle against removal, and now his fight to remain in UK permanently.
Regards
Geraldine
g_macv@yahoo.co.uk
Fotso Kamga didn't Fly Yesterday
Just to update you that Fotso Kamga did not fly tonight - court stopped the removal. He is in a detention centre in England, very exhausted but relieved to be still here, still fighting.
Thanks to everybody who took time to sign the petition, to email / fax Home Secretary and Kenya Airways. The good work must continue though as the fight to stay is far from over. Fotso appreciates the effort from everyone too.
Regards and thanks
Geraldine
ANSU UK campaign group
g_macv@yahoo.co.uk
Fotso Kamga Belongs To Glasgow!
Fotso Kamga, a Cameroonian asylum seeker, went to report at UKBA Glasgow office on 10 March'11 where he was detained and issued with removal directions for Kenya Airways Flight KQ101 @ 1900hrs today Moonday 14th MARCH 2011 from UK to Cameroon.
He fled Cameroon in 2007 because of his political beliefs. He was an active member of Social Democratic Front (SDF), distributing leaflets, attending branch meetings and promoting rallies. Whilst there, he suffered brutality and abuse. In UK, he has been receiving therapy and medical care because of the past treatment in Cameroon. Medical evidence presented in 2007 for his asylum claim has been disregarded by the immigration officials.
Fotso Kamga has involved himself with voluntary work with Football Development and has coaching qualifications in football. He has also been active member in Cameroonian Association Scotland which has been heavily involved in environmental projects in Glasgow. He attended college also and has certificates from his time there. Fotso Kamga is also involved in Unity Centre in Glasgow, helping and supporting other asylum seekers . He has also been politically active in UK re demonstrations against deportations to Cameroon etc. He has established a private life with his British partner and child. It seems harsh to deny them the right to family life together after all this while. The family uprooting to Cameroon is an unrealistic option for many reasons.
Returning him to Cameroon will put him in great danger - his past SDF activities meant he is at great risk of being detained if he sets foot on Cameroon soil. Removing him from UK would be a breach of his human rights under Articles 3 and 8. He has a genuine fear of being returned to Cameroon to suffer persecution for his politics, especially at this time when the country is experiencing a lot of brutality, oppression and unrest. Credible reports on Cameroon shows the country to be very fragile, with a lot of corruption and poor human rights issues. Journalists and political opponents of President Biya are being targeted especially with 2011 being an election year. Cameroonians coming from the diaspora are at great risk on return, especially those who are known to be involved in political activities.
Richard Moncrieff, West Africa project director at the International Crisis Group said "Hope has been all but extinguished by two decades of democratic pushback by the regime." Moncrieff adds that, "The only way to avoid this is to allow Cameroonians to hope again, and that means creating a more democratic climate, in which people's voices are heard, and their choices are respected" (source: http://www.standardtribune.com/nation/69-nation/466-cameroon-feared-to-be-on-the-brink)
Other references re the current situation under the Biya regime:
Biya regime closes down twitter services in Cameroon. (source: http://news.cameroon-today.com/cameroon-places-ban-on-twitter-services/4684)
It should also be noted that a delegation of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights in February 2011 began examining the human rights situation in Cameroon due to specific concerns. (source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201102031038.html). The UK Foreign Office website today even advises that Cameroon is not safe to travel to - it says "We advise caution if travelling to major towns and cities. Remain abreast of local political conditions and avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings. (source: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/cameroon)
Legal representations have been made but UKBA Glasgow appear to have refused yet again further evidences and submissions made . He has no criminal convictions in UK. He has made an effort to integrate into the community - done to battle his mental ill-health, and also integration is a natural process that people do when they have been in a place so long, rather remain desolate and isolated for years whilst waiting for UKBA decisions. He should be granted status under Article 8, legacy, refugee or discretionary criteria.
What you can do to help
Contact Home Secretary
Please FAX or email to Home Secretary Theresa May to stop the planned removal and to review the case. Downloadd model letter FotsokamgaTmay.doc, copy, amend or write your own version - remember to quote HO Ref no F1088793 in all correspondence.
By Fax: 020 7035 4745
Emails: mayt@parliament.uk
Emails:
mayt@parliament.uk
Emails: Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk
"CIT - Treat Official" <CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk>
Please also lobby Kenya Airlines:
Email, fax and phone, Sam Okwulehie, Group Area Manager Kenya Airways. Urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Fotso Kamga, and to consider the airline's reputation. Download model letter FotsoKamgaKenyaAirways.doc
Put as much pressure on this airline as you can, to make them consider if it's worth the hassle to continue as one of UKBA's deportation airlines.
E-mail: contact@kenya-airways.com
Fax: 020 8745 5027 (Or from outside the UK + 44 20 8745 5027)
Phone: 020 8759 7366 (Or from outside the UK + 44 20 8759 7366)
Also email : Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond MSP
- saying that Scotland needs people like Fotso Kamga who have integrated into Scottish society, and will be an asset given his football coaching qualifications etc. Remember to quote HO Ref F1088793
Email: alex.salmond.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
or First Minister email: FirstMinister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Signing the petition
Please also try to support the online petition for Fotso Kamga by going to
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/kamgamuststay
Many thanks for your support
Please send copies of any actions to
ANSU UK campaign group
g_macv@yahoo.co.uk
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