Smajli
Family Must Stay
The Smajli family are Roma from Kosovo who are
facing deportation because the home office do not accept, despite
good evidence, that they are Roma.
If they are deported to Kosovo they face discrimination
and even violence as the situation for Roma there since the end
of the war is unsafe. The family have 6 children five of whom
are girls and they are afraid that the girls would be subject
to sexual violence in addition to other forms
of discrimination and persecution.
Mr Smajli has an ID card which states he is Roma and
has the physical appearance of the Roma people with dark skin
and hair which marks him immediately as different from most Kosovar
Albanians. His children also have dark skin and hair.
The family are supported by many professionals
in this country. C.
Tournay, the vicar of St Peter"s Brockley states some of
the reasons the church is supporting them ;
*
They have been in this country for five and a half years.
*
The younger children know no other home than the UK
*
To return to Kosovo means they would be displaced again after
they have settled into life here.
*
The children are integrated into local schools and doing well
here and are preparing to take exams, move into secondary schools
or engage in futher education. The children are supported by teachers
and other professionals in their schools who are impressed with
their hard work and attempts to integrate into British society.
*
The two eldest children have NI numbers and are able and eager
to work in the UK. The
eldest girl has been offered a job as a dental technician.
*
The five eldest children are girls and their parents are fearful
they will be raped should they return to Kosovo as sexual violence
was a well known feature of the conflict there and still is a
common occurrence especially in racially motivated violence.
*
The father suffers from a rheumatoid condition and requires treatment
which he is receiving here.
*
The Roma are excluded from basic medical care in Kosovo.
*
The family have formed strong friendships with people here and
have integrated into the community in this country.
What
you can do to help
1. Fax/write to the Home Secretary David Blunkett, using
the model letter, which you
can copy/amend/write your own.
Fax no: 020 7273 3965 from outside the UK + 44 20 7273 3965
Or
write to:
David
Blunkett
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Please
take time to send a copy of anything sent to:
Smajli
Family Must Stay Campaign
c/o NCADC
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Road
London SE5 0HF
Enquiries/further
information:
Allison Bennett
Phone: 020 7701 5197
ncadc-london@ncadc.org.uk
