Mr Ahmed Must Stay Campaign - Urgent action needed

Mr Ahmed left Ethiopia in January 2003 leaving his wife and two young children there.

Mr Ahmed is a member of the opposition political party Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), in Ethiopia. He has been arrested and tortured by the security forces because of his political belief in the OLF and membership of a particular social group.

The Adjudicator at Mr Ahmed’s appeal hearing accepted that he was arrested and tortured because of his membership in the OLF and a particular social group. However, the adjudicator did not believe he would be in danger if he were returned, even though there is reliable evidence to support the fact that even supporters of the OLF are at risk.

Mr Ahmed claimed asylum in the UK in February 2003 on the grounds of his fear of persecution because of political reasons. Shortly after he left the country, the security forces searched his house, discovered incriminating materials and ill-treated his wife and family. His mental health is affected due to the uncertainty of his family’s well-being and fear of persecution that he would obviously face if returned to Ethiopia.

US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Ethiopia released on 25th February 2004 reveals: ‘’The Government's human rights record remained poor… Security forces committed a number of unlawful killings and at times beat, tortured, and mistreated detainees… The Government continued to arrest and detain persons arbitrarily, particularly those suspected of sympathizing with or being members of the OLF. Thousands of suspects remained in detention without charge, and lengthy pretrial detention continued to be a problem…’’

Mr Ahmed’s current situation, his fear of persecution and his genuine application for asylum has obtained marvelous understanding and support from local MP, David Chaytor.

At any rate, however, in light of Ethiopia’s human rights practices it is obvious that Mr Ahmed’s membership in the OLF, which was accepted by the court, is enough to bring about persecution and risk his life.

Mr Ahmed’s Volunteer Work
Since his arrival in Bury in June 2003, he has been a volunteer for Bury Oxfam Shop, Asian Development Association of Bury and Bury African Outreach. He was in training with Bury District Citizen Advice Bureau to volunteer as an advisor. He was an invited member of the Bury Multi Agency Forum representing asylum seekers. He also cycled from Manchester to Blackpool and raised £350 for Bury Hospice. Mr Ahmed has enthusiastically engaged himself to serve the people who have helped him and he is enormously grateful.

Mr Ahmed needs your support to sustain his campaign to remain in the United Kingdom.

What you can do to help
People in Bury have made successful campaigns before and with the assistance of people like you scores of anti-deportation campaigns have been won. Please help us to ensure success on Mr Ahmed Must Stay Campaign too.

Please, raise this important campaign with neighbours, colleagues and all the organizations you are involved with.

Fax/write to the Minister for Immigration Des Browne - requesting that the Mr Ahmed  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 Des Browne on 020 7273 2043, or from outside the UK + 44 20 7273 2043

Or write direct to:

Des Browne
Minister for Immigration
Home Office
50 Queen Annes Gate
London
SW1H 9AT

Please notify the campaign of any faxes sent:
Notify by email
AhmedMustStay@ncadc.org.uk

Sign and complete the Petition
Please download the Petition, sign it, and get others to sign too. When the form is complete with signatures, please post it to the Mr Ahmed Must Stay Campaign
c/o NCADC
1 Delaunays Road
Crumpsall, Manchester
M8 4QS

Distribute the Leaflet
Please download the Leaflet and distribute it wherever you can.

Thank you ! Your support can make a difference !

Source for this page: Mr Ahmed Must Stay Campaign