Garzova Family Must Stay

Dusan Garza (husband), Agata Garzova (wife), Nikola Garzova (aged 12)

Adrian Garza (aged 11), Vanesa Garzova (aged 20 months)

Dusan and his family fled from Slovakia because they were subject to persecution including verbal abuse and physical attacks on themselves and their property. There is severe hatred towards the Roma minority in Slovakia. The authorities of that Government may have implemented several pieces of legislation to combat such racism, but in practice racism issues are not dealt with. There is not sufficient protection for the Roma minority. Many citizens and professionals turn a blind eye to the persecution and harassment targeted towards the Roma minority.

Despite the quite clear evidence that the familly had been subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment, their asylum claim was refused.

On Saturday the 9^th March, at 7.30am, a seven strong 'Immingration Snatch Squad' arrived at their home in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, England. All the family were arrested and deported to Scotland. They are currently in Dungavel House, Immigration Centre, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire.

They were then issued with removal notice for Monday 11^th, whih was deferred till Friday the 15^th march. This removal date has also been deferred

Vanesa Garzova
Vanesa was born two months prematurely following a racial attack on her mother on 6th July 2000. Mum still suffers internal problems. Vanesa was in an incubator for the first two months of her life and discharged from hospital in September 2000 because her bed (cot/incubator) was needed by someone else. She was 1kg 380g in weight at birth and approximately two and a half kilos when discharged.

Vanesa has been examined by a Paediatrician. He was concerned about Vanesa as she was unable to sit and stand unaided and was not making any recognisable speech sounds. The doctor suggested this was quite likely a result of her premature birth. She was referred for a special needs assessment which took place on January 29th 2002. The consensus of opinion of the professionals involved in that assessment is that she is severely developmentally delayed. An action plan has been prepared for her.

There are further concerns in relation to Vanesa's eyesight. She has quite a severe "squint" and there is uncertainty as to the extent of her vision. She is under the care of a consultant at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. He has attempted to correct the problem with the use of eye patches however, it is a possibility that she may need surgery. Mr Clarke is currently still undecided as to the cause of Vanesa's eye problems. She has an appointment for a hearing test on 18th March.

Vanesa would not be entitled to the assistance that she receives here in the United Kingdom if she was returned to Slovakia. She has already started to make progress with the help of the physiotherapist. I believe that returning her to her country of origin, would cause physical and mental suffering.

Nikola Garzova
Nikola was born on 2nd April 1989. She started school at the age of 6 and from the age of 7 started to refuse to attend school. She complained of various ailments including severe headaches and stomach pains. Her academic progress was reported to be poor and her attendance very low. The opinion of a private psychologist was that Nikola's problems with school were directly related to her Roma ethnicity. She was being discriminated against by her teacher and verbally abused by many of her school peers. Nikola has been attending Thomas Hepburn Community Secondary School in Gateshead since September 2001. She has had 100% attendance at school. On enrolling she was placed in the bottom stream at school, but has made such good progress that she was promoted to the top stream in February 2002. Her school have identified her as being academically bright and extremely talented in Art to the extent that she has now been placed on a special register of Gifted and Talented pupils.

I believe that if Nikola, was returned to her country of origin she would be unable to achieve her full potential as a human being, causing her great mental suffering.

I want answers

     The immigration office will not accept an application for Exceptional Leave to Remain in the UK based on compassionate, compelling, and humanitarian grounds particularly in respect of the two daughters, even though they have had medical confirmation of this information.

Friends of the Garzova Family are campaigning to stop the removal, for details of hou you can help contact.

Garzova Family Campaign
C/0 Joan Moon
Tel/fax 0191 487 597

E-mail: joan.moon@blueyonder.co.uk