Florence and Precious Mhango are awaiting deportation at Yarlswood Detention Centre and their flight is due to leave at 7pm tomorrow. For the past six years they have made the UK their home, but last week the Home Office made the decision, quite unexpectedly, to refuse their plea for asylum and send them back to Malawi.
If they return, ten year old Precious will be considered the property of her father's family, who will take her away from her mother. It is unlikely she will be able to continue her education (only 1 in 94 Malawian girls are enrolled in a Primary School, according to UNICEF) and it is likely she will be subjected to Female Genital Mutilation. Although democracy arrived in Malawi in 1994, the government has failed to take any action against this barbaric act of torture which is thought to be inflicted on around 18% of Malawian girls.
The Green Party deplores enforced imprisonment of asylum seekers and is in favour of making our country a more welcoming place for these vulnerable people - for example by giving asylum seekers the right to work.
Please help Florence and Precious Mhango by emailing Home Office Minister Phil Woolas at phil.woolas@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk and requesting their urgent humanitarian release.
any up to date news of Florence and Precious? Have you heard about the trouble at Yarlswood? Can't seem to post a link but see yesterdays Guardian-"Yarlswood women on hunger strike-locked up and denied treatment"
ReplyDeleteHi Graham, their deportation was postponed at the very last minute and their appeal for a judicial review is to be heard tomorrow. There is quite a dynamic campaign going on, and you can find regular updates here: http://indygalgoestoholyrood.blogspot.com/. There is also a facebook group; if you are signed up to facebook you can join it here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=187427281891&ref=nf. You could also email Alan Johnson at public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk and ask him to exercise his discretion to give them leave to remain. Thanks for the info about Yarlswood, will look it up asap. The blog hasn't been updated much of late due to a broken hand, but we'll be back up to speed soon!
ReplyDeleteGood news: they won their appeal.
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