VICTORY TO BEATRICE

AND ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS

HO Office reference number 02/11/01296

“I am Beatrice Ketcha Guessie and I fled from Cameroon and sought asylum in Britain over 5 years ago. I came here because I was in danger due to my political activity against the Cameroon Government. In 2002 I learnt from the Red Cross that my husband is dead. I was detained six weeks ago and taken to Yarls Wood detention centre, despite having a severe psychological disorder. I was then treated at a psychiatric hospital but have been returned to Yarls Wood Detention Centre. I am absolutely terrified for my future. I CANNOT go back to Cameroon I will surely die. Please write to the Home Office and my MP Louise Ellman.”

Six weeks ago Beatrice was campaigning in Liverpool about her situation and that of all asylum seekers with the immigrant rights campaigning group Asylum Voice – voice of the undocumented. A few days later she was arrested. Since being detained Beatrice tried to commit suicide six times and was then transferred to Orchard Hospital, Luton. But now she has been returned to Yarls Wood. Detention Centre.

Beatrice was severely harmed following the oppression, rape and abuse and her life is at serious if she is returned to Cameroon. Her campaigning against the ruling party has continued in this country with the SDF UK based in London. If returned she will most certainly be targeted by the government and suffer serious persecution and abuse. Beatrice came here to seek sanctuary from that harm and we demand that she is given the right to stay.

By seizing, detaining and threatening to deport Beatrice the Home Office has caused her psychological state to dangerously deteriorate. With support Beatrice can return to campaign and support all other asylum seekers as well as fight her own case.

Situation in Cameroon

The following information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and Amnesty International all show that the Government of Cameroon has a bad record on human rights. “Extra-judicial executions, protracted detention without trial, torture of detainees and appalling prison conditions were all highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in 1999.”
Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Amnesty International Report 2000 on Cameroon says, "Torture and ill-treatment by the security forces remained routine, and prison conditions amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, resulting in a high mortality rate. Critics of the government...were harassed, arrested and imprisoned.”

The Home Office in 2007 continues to advise against all travel to many areas in Cameroon.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO HELP BEATRICE IS EMAIL OR FAX A LETTER OF SUPPORT - DEMAND HER RELEASE, STOP THE DEPORTATION AND DEMAND HER RIGHT TO STAY to:

What you can do to help!

1 Please send urgent faxes/emails to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Office demanding that Beatrice to stay in the UK and quote Home Office Ref. 02/11/01296 Fax 020 7035 4745 (+44 207 035 4745) for outside UK

Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office, 3rd. Floor, Peel Building, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1 4DF. Email: smithjj@parliament.uk

2 Send a copy to Louise Ellman MP. Constituency Office: Room 515, The Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9LQ Fax: 0151 236 4301 Email: ellmanl@parliament.uk

For further information and/or to help contact Asylum Voice c/o c/o Asylum Link Merseyside, 7 Overbury Street, Liverpool, L7 3HJ, asylumvoice@yahoo.co.uk