Suzan is an HIV+ 24 year old Ugandan who fled persecution and rape in Uganda. She narrowly avoided deportation on the3rd October 2006. Suzan's weight has plummeted to 39kgs (barely 6 stone), has been a wheelchair user and was likely to be carried on to the plane. She is unlikely to be able to access the treatment she needs in Uganda and faces death if deported. Suzan still faces deportation.

"I am thin I was 50 something four months ago and now I can't believe it that I am only 39kg. I am 24 years old but now I look like a child of 12 years old. I am so desperate for your help, please help."
Suzan

Suzan came to the UK in 2002 and was diagnosed as being HIV+ in 2003. Her asylum claim was processed through the Yarl's Wood Fast Track system and refused. She suffered from very poor representation paid for by her church.

Suzan had to be carried into a Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) workshop at Yarl's Wood because she was too weak to walk. BID took on Suzan's bail case and she was granted bail in June 2006 because her removal from the UK was not imminent and it was found that she was not likely to run away. Suzan was released to live in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) Section 4 accommodation for the destitute.

Suzan was cared for at St George's Hospital by Dr Katia Prime whose prognosis on return to Uganda is ;
"On stopping antiretroviral therapy Suzan's CD4 count will quickly drop to her previous nadir level of below 200X106/L and will continue to deteriorate resulting in the acquisition of further opportunistic infections further AIDS diagnoses and eventually in death. This situation is completely unacceptable and I urge you to allow her to remain in the United Kingdom for access to ongoing antiretroviral therapy which was initiated in the UK, and for continued monitoring of essential blood parameters including CD4 and viral load."

Suzan was re-detained at Tinsley House Removal Centre at the end of August with removal directions for the 1st September but she was not removed, which we believe was to be due to outstanding medical test results.

Suzan was moved from Tinsley House to Colnbrook Removal Centre and on the 26th September officers tried to take away her stick and handcuff her to take her to a hospital appointment at a London clinic. Suzan began to cry and protest. More than four officers were brought to 'restrain' her - she was pushed to the floor, resulting in a bump to her head and bruising and swelling to her arms and legs. She was put into a van, but instead of taking her to hospital, they just moved her to another wing within Colnbrook.

BID made a complaint to Immigration who claimed previous 'disruptive behaviour' justified the handcuffing. They said an internal enquiry would be carried out but that BID would not be told of the outcome.

Suzan wrote to BID:
"They have to detain me and to be sent back to Uganda, where by all my family are killed, my mother was shoot before, raped as well as me, it has been a nightmare for me and if I am taken back I will be put in prison and nobody to turn to, first of all, am sick (HIV pos), no drugs, no where to live, no family, or relative while here I am supported by friends and bless you international church…supporting me emotionally I am so down"

"I am also not in good health … breathing difficulties, pains at the back, stomach ulcers, pain on the ribs and stomach …. 3 months ago when release I was on wheelchair and I am trying to recover, by moving from wheelchair to walking stick. Headache all the time, as if my head wants to explode or my brains are pulling out. Being here, I feel as if put on a box and I can't breath or see light, and soon running mad, because all the time talking to myself and somebody ask me, I cannot remember what I was saying. When I was out, I had weekly counselling and meet with some organisations like ACIA, Positive Women and Positive Place and staying here I have no access to the meeting groups to give me emotional support and the rest so from better I am getting worse."

Suzan fears persecution and death in Uganda. Suzan must live. Please support her !

Media Articles
Detained immigrants 'are abused'

What you can do to help:
The Suzan Must Live Campaign is organising a letter writing and petition campaign to persuade the Minister for Immigration, Liam Byrne, to allow Suzan to stay in the UK.

Please print off the model letter which you can copy/amend write your own version (please quote Suzan's Home Office ref. no. A1229180), and send to :

Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration
Home Office
3rd Floor
Peel Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Please send copies of your letter to the Suzan Must Live Campaign.

Contact the Suzan Must Live Campaign;
Email Doris on breezer144@hotmail.com

Thank you for helping to save Suzan's life !