Philippe and Michelle Must Stay

Philippe and Michelle are asylum seekers from the Ivory Coast who are living in Enfield. Please help stop their deportation by writing to the Home Office:

Philippe Diby, a law student from the Ivory Coast, fled his country in 1999 after being arrested and held in a military camp. He had taken part in a student demonstration in support of the RDR, a political party whose leader was banned from taking part in elections. Having suffered beatings and other humiliations in the camp, Philippe managed to escape and he fled to Britain where he claimed asylum.

Michelle Kacou fled the Ivory Coast in 2000, following the military coup. Michelle‚s father had been an employee of the party overturned by the coup; both she and her father were arrested, and Michelle was raped by soldiers.

Philippe and Michelle met in London and married. Their daughter, Marie, is now two years old. The couple have made great efforts to learn English and Philippe is currently taking a course in Catering at Southgate College. They worship at St. Michael‚s Church, Wood Green, where over 100 members of the congregation have signed a petition supporting them.

The couple have not been given a fair hearing, partly because they have been badly represented by solicitors. Michelle was initially refused asylum, not because her case was not valid, but because her solicitor missed a deadline. The couple have been asked to present evidence of their persecution, but both had to flee suddenly and under cover, and were unable to carry such evidence with them. They have been told that they should have sought refuge in Ghana, but neither thought they would be safe there, and are now being punished for the fear that led them further away. Both are constantly worried. Since receiving a letter instructing him to leave the country, Philippe cannot sleep for fear that Immigration Officers will come to take him away during the night.

The couple have at some points been told that it was safe to return to the Ivory Coast. In 2001 there was a brief period of stability, but this was shattered in September 2002, when rebels belonging to the Ivory Coast Popular Movement tried to take over the country. A Civil War ensued in which over 1000 people were killed. A number of death squads also became active in the confusion, killing mostly opposition figures - such as members of the party Philippe supported, the RDR. Indeed, the RDR leader, Alassane Outtara, who had returned from exile in 2001, has had to flee the country again. After 8 months of Civil War cease fires have been broken numerous times. This is not a safe place for family arriving from abroad with a young child.

Please help Philippe, Michelle and Marie by writing or faxing Beverley Hughes Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Community Cohesion the Home Office, asking that the family be allowed to stay and live freely in the UK. It really makes a difference if many people send letters, so please write soon, always quoting their HomeOffice numbers:

Philippe Diby: D1013087
Michelle Kacou: J1016521

You can use the model letter or download a Word version but if you can add your own comments, please do so.

Then Fax: Beverley Hughes on 020 7273 2043

Or write to:

Beverley Hughes
Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Community Cohesion
Home Office
50 Queen Annes Gate
London
SW1H 9AT

Inquiries/further information
Philippe and Michelle Must Stay Campaign
joandy65@yahoo.co.uk

If you fax/write anything, please email confirmation to
joandy65@yahoo.co.uk

Source for this page: Philippe and Michelle Must Stay Campaign

The contents of this page are the sole responsibility of the author/s.

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