Don't Deport Fri Linda and her son to Cameroon!

    Fri Linda Simaze Must Stay!
    Fri Linda Simaze and her son came to the UK in May 2003 from Cameroon. Both her parents died when she was a small child. The local women's cultural association in her village wished to induct her into the association. This involved Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Her uncle and aunt who looked after her decided that she was too young and took her to the North West of Cameroon where she went to school.

     In 1998, Linda's aunt received an ultimatum from a member of the cultural association to send Linda back to the village, and the aunt felt obliged to comply. Before the FGM could take place Linda ran away. Linda married in 2001, and although at first her husband treated her properly and with respect, he began putting pressure on Linda to undergo FGM. He became more violent, and although the police were involved, they just advised that the couple should resolve their differences amicably.
Female Genital Mutilation in Cameroon

    FGM is a traditional practice which is usually performed primarily on children and adolescents, but also some adult women. It constitutes a violation of a girl's/women's right to physical and mental health and breaches the basic human right to liberty, security and bodily integrity.

The Cameroon Government has criticised the practice: However no law prohibits FGM. The Home Office acknowledge that it is carried out in 3 of the 10 provinces, which includes the South West where Linda was born.

David Blunkett in March welcomed the coming into force of 'The Female Genital Mutilation Act' which prohibits FGM. 'The Female Genital Mutilation Act' reinforces existing legislation criminalising the offence and closes a loophole by making it unlawful to take girls abroad for genital mutilation whether or not it is lawful elsewhere.

What you can do to help:
    Fax/write to the Home Secretary requesting that Fri Linda is allowed to stay. You can use the model letter attached. Copy/amend/write your own version, feel free to add your own comments.

    You can fax David Blunkett on 0207 273 3965, or from outside the UK +44207 273 3965

or write direct:

David Blunkett MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AT

Send copies to Rt Hon Gerald Kaufman MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

Please notify the campaign of any letter/faxes sent:
ncadc-north-west@ncadc.org.uk

Please download the petition and circulate:

Support Fri Linda Simaze and Family
c/o 1 Delaunays Road,
Crumpsall
Manchester
M8 4QS
0161 740 8206

Source for this page: NCADC