No Deportations to Columbia - let Eduard Stay

Eduard Beron, a 33-year-old Colombian, fled from his home in Cali, after death threats from a right wing group linked to the Columbian government. The group didn’t like Eduard’s presence in the area as he was an assistant cameraman working with his older brother. The group considered them both to be involved in subversive activities as Eduard’s older brother belonged to the M-19 movement and had been imprisoned.

Eduard came to London in December 1991. His asylum claim was refused in March 1994. The Home Office argued that Eduard’s involvement with the group was by family association only. They also claimed that the M-19 group had become part of the democratic process in 1989 and had obtained representation in the Colombian Congress in the 1991 elections. However, an Amnesty International report says that a number of former activists have been killed or disappeared since M-19 became a political party.

Eduard appealed against his refusal but, in April 1999, his appeal was turned down. Despite compelling new evidence presented by his two sisters the judge maintained that only Eduard’s brother was in any danger and not Eduard himself. It was acknowledged that his brother’s activities made the family vulnerable but the ruling was that only the brother was politically active and in any real danger of persecution. Eduard’s lawyer is now making a fresh application under the Human Rights Act.

Following Refusal after Refusal Eduard has found himself with no way out. Reports from experts on the situation in Columbia have been ignored and representations from friends and supporters have yet to convince the Home Office to change its mind. Eduard is now beginning to feel that all his efforts over the years to show the British government he is telling the truth seem worthless.

Eduard is a photography student who works and pays his own fees, but the last letter from the Home Office removed his permission to work or study. He feels that the Home Office is deliberately penalising him in order to break his spirits. He feels restrained and, after all the refusals, feels he has nowhere to go.

Amparo Beron Cardona