No Borders Nottingham » Support

Hicham Yezza and the new issue of Ceasefire

nobordersnottm — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:03:00 +0000

On August 12th Hicham Yezza was released from HMP High Down after more than 5 months in prison following a year-long ordeal of first being arrested at his workplace University of Nottingham as part of a terrorist scare fiasco, subsequently incarcerated and moved around various detention centres facing immediate deportation but managing to prevent this and to take his case to court in spite of vigorous opposition from the Home Office, then being found guilty of a criminal charge and imprisoned again.

More details about his case and welcome release are forthcoming. In the meantime, his campaign website carries details of the new issue of Ceasefire, the magazine of Nottingham Student Peace Movement he edited whilst at the University. This one is a special 68-page limited edition edited in Cell 213, HMP Canterbury.

Hicham is due to speak at this weekend’s Beyond Borders event in Nottingham.

Two events in Nottingham this week: 21st & 24th July

nobordersnottm — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:39:05 +0000

‘Tuesday Night Project’ Barbecue followed by No Borders meeting: Tuesday 21st July from 6pm at Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum (Square Centre).

Amdani Juma support rally in the Market Square on Friday 24th July at 5.15pm. Click on Read More for the latest Press Release with background to Amdani’s campaign to stay in Nottingham.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum. Friends of Amdani Juma

Contacts:
Rob Peutrell – 07846765761
Cathy Meadows 07913476905

Monday 20 July 2009

Nottingham City Award Winner, Amdani Juma, faces new threat of removal despite no Home Office decision

Nottingham City award winner Amdani Juma, has been informed by the Home Office that he must leave the UK or face up to 6 months imprisonment and enforced removal to Burundi, even though an official Home Office determination regarding his application to remain in the UK has yet to be made.

In an unprecedented approach which may be wrong in law, the Home Office have notified Amdani of their intention to remove him but have avoided making a formal immigration decision which would provide him with the right of appeal. The 2008 winner of the City of Nottingham Inspiration Award could be removed at any time even though the legal process has not been completed. Solicitor’s acting on behalf of Amdani are in contact with the Home Office in an attempt to get a formal decision.

400 signatures were collected on behalf of Amdani last weekend and a rally is planned to protest against the Home Office actions.

A friend says:

“It seems like the Home Office can do what they want. They play foul, but it’s Amdani who gets the red card. He’s not just a number – he’s a person – he’s even been voted an inspiration to Nottingham! I can’t imagine the impact that this is having on his life; imprisonment, denied work, and now kept in immigration limbo with the constant threat of deportation hanging over his head, it’s shameful – these should be the best years of his life.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Amdani was awarded the 2008 City of Nottingham Inspiration Award for making a significant contribution towards enriching life in the city.

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/pressreleases/view_article.asp?ReleaseID=4983

Paper petitions in support of Amdani total 3,200.

The online petition http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html contains many testimonials from the community and has over 2,800 signatures. Signatories include Alan Simpson MP, Noam Chomsky.

Amdani Juma’s solicitor is Hani Zubeidi of Fadiga and Co Solicitors, London

Amdani Juma, a refugee HIV prevention and community worker in Nottingham,
was detained by the immigration authorities on Friday 30th May 2008 and was nearly deported. He was released in June 2008 following a massive local campaign and pending a Judicial Review.

Alan Simpson MP for Nottingham South and Nottingham Council leader Jon Collins have both spoken out about Mr Amdani’s proposed removal. Amdani’s HIV/AIDS prevention work has had local and national significance and groups have spoken out against the decision that his staying in the UK was not in the interests of the community.

Amdani is a Burundian national. In 2003, he was granted 3 years Humanitarian Protection but his later application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was turned down. A further application for discretion by the Home Office was also refused resulting in his detention. He was released in June 2008.

Ends
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Amdani Juma’s campaign takes to the streets again

nobordersnottm — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:26:54 +0000

Amdani Juma has been refused the Right to Remain in a manner breaching the Home Office’s own regulations, not to mention through a disgracefully botched and irregular process that no human being should be subjected to. A torture survivor and pro-democracy activist, Amdani escaped death more than once. He has no family in Burundi; his cousin, brother and sister are all permanently resident in the UK or the Netherlands. Human Rights groups and the UN report ongoing human rights abuses and torture in Burundi.

Read More to find out what you can do including Market Sq. demo on Friday 24th July at 5.15pm, other public events, petition etc …

Download and print off this leaflet.

Look for us at the Carnival on the Forest this Weekend, 4th & 5th July.

Join our rally in the Market Square on Friday 24th July at 5.15pm.

Meet Amdani at the Nottingham Pride event in the Arboretum on Saturday July 25th, where Amdani will be campaigning once again to help others, in the prevention of HIV in the Black Community.

Please sign the e-petition if you haven’t: http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html

And Meet the Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xyHu3GeNYk

More info: http://friendsofamdani.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/amdanis-campaign-takes-to-the-streets-again/

Action against deportations – get involved!

nobordersnottm — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:05:07 +0000

To find out what you can to help local people facing deportation, visit: http://www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk/

There is also an Anti-deportation group that meets regularly – contact No Borders Nottingham for details: Email info (at) nobordersnottingham.org.uk

Visit http://www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk/nrcg.htm for news & advice about detention and deportation. For UK-wide anti-deportation information visit National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/

Latest news, 20th May, 2009:
We have just heard that Sima Valand’s removal directions have been cancelled!
Sima now has a decent solicitor working on her case and the solicitor’s intervention stopped today’s removal. She has submitted fresh evidence which the Home Office are considering so hopefully, Sima won’t be at risk of removal now and can apply for bail. But if you’re poised over the fax machine about to send an appeal on Sima’s behalf to Smith, don’t let this stop you from carrying on!
Sima Valand is desperately fighting to stop the Home Office sending her to India where she is at risk of murder at the hands of her in-laws. She was not flown on Fri 8th May or Wed 20th May. She remains in an immigration prison until she is bailed, to fight and hopefully win her case. More info: http://www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk/

AMDANI JUMA – No let up in local support as hearing date set

root — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Amdani Juma, the Nottingham Community worker whose removal was postponed in June, will have his Judicial Review in the High Court on Tuesday 14th October and this Friday 3rd October. 250 post cards will be posted to 15 MPs to raise awareness about how Amdani has contributed to their constituency through his work. Amdani is a Burundian national. In 2003, he was granted 3 years Humanitarian Protection but his application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was turned down, and further application for discretion was refused by the UKBA/Home Office.

One of the ?Friends of Amdani? says:
?We are continuing to raise awareness about this issue and we won?t let up until justice is done. Some people think that because he was released, it is all over: we are trying to keep everyone updated with what is going on, as well as continuing to let more people know about this injustice. Last Saturday in Nottingham City Centre 150 more people signed the petition in less than 2 hours. The whole of Nottingham will be awaiting a just outcome.?

Local people have rallied to his support with three demonstrations in Nottingham and an online and paper petition combined have a total of over 5,700 signatures.
http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html contains many testimonials from the community and has over 2,500 signatures. Paper petitions total over 3,000. A short campaign video paying tribute to our good friend Amdani Juma can be seen on YouTube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7qNho3_auGA

PRESS RELEASE: AMDANI JUMA – NO LET UP IN LOCAL SUPPORT AS HEARING DATE SET
Thursday, 2 October, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum
Friends of Amdani Juma

Contacts: Rob Peutrell ? 07846765761
Press: Cathy Meadows – 07913476905

Thursday 2nd October 2008

AMDANI JUMA: NO LET UP IN LOCAL SUPPORT AS HEARING DATE SET

Amdani Juma was granted bail pending a Judicial Review on 8th June 2008. Since then he has not been allowed to continue with his paid employment and has had to take a 40 mile round trip from Nottingham to Loughborough every week to report. During the long wait and uncertainty, local people have continued to support him and his case and to raise awareness about his contribution to the region. 250 people have signed postcards to send to their MPs to highlight that Amdani?s work has affected their constituencies.

One of the ?Friends of Amdani? says

?We are continuing to raise awareness about this issue and we won?t let up until justice is done. Some people think that because he was released, it is all over: we are trying to keep everyone updated with what is going on, as well as continuing to let more people know about this injustice. Last Saturday in Nottingham City Centre 150 more people signed the petition in less than 2 hours. The whole of Nottingham will be awaiting a just outcome.?

Notes for Editors

Background
Amdani Juma, a refugee HIV prevention and community worker in Nottingham,
was detained by the immigration authorities on Friday 30th May 2008. He spent 18 days in detention during which time a flight was booked for his removal on two separate occasions. Following protests by local people, local and national organisations, a meeting with Liam Byrne and Alan Simpson and representations from his solicitor, Amdani was released on bail on 10th June 2008 pending a Judicial Review.

Amdani is a Burundian national. In 2003, he was granted 3 years Humanitarian Protection but his application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was turned down. A further application for discretion on the grounds of his contribution to the Nottinghamshire and East Midlands community was also refused. Alan Simpson, MP for Nottingham South, and Nottingham Council leader Jon Collins have both spoken out in opposition to Amdani?s proposed removal. Local people have rallied to his support with three demonstrations in Nottingham and an online and paper petition combined have a total of over 5,700 signatures.
http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html
contains many testimonials from the community and has over 2,500 signatures. Paper petitions total over 3,000

Amdani Juma?s solicitor is Hani Zubeidi of Fadiga and Co Solicitors, London

A short campaign video paying tribute to our good friend Amdani Juma can
be seen on YouTube:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7qNho3_auGA

Ends

Cardiff Gay Radical Artist Asylum Seeker Snatched! Protest Wednesday.

root — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Babakhan Badalov, (Babi) the openly gay, internationally renowned radical artist and poet from Azerbaijan was arrested on the morning of 16th September during a reporting session in Cardiff. There will be a protest on Wednesday 17th September against Babi?s incarceration outside of the place where he was grabbed; the UK Border Agency offices at 31-33 Newport Road, Cardiff at 12 noon. All are welcome. This protest will only last one hour so people can come along in their lunch-breaks, and show your support with any banners or placards that you are able to make. Details and complains to Home Office from No Borders Wales. Friend and activist Hywel Bishop said: ?I?ve never seen anyone so scared. If Babi gets sent home he faces persecution from the state for his art, beatings from the local community, as well as the threat of honour killing from his family because they can?t live with the fact that he?s gay.?

On the same day, in Nottingham, a Zimbabwean women was detained at The Bridewell police station. There are many more signing detentions and dawn raids we don’t hear about. The inhuman harassment of asylum seekers in Britain is continuous. How much clearer can it be that nation states are the enemy of any freedom-loving person?

Independent video of demonstration in support of Hicham Yezza and Academic Freedom

nobordersnottm — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A moving video which speaks for more action: Independent video of the demo – interviews, speechs, march in the rain, support from students & co-workers, phone call with Hich in detention centre, etc.

Hich on mobile phone: “thank you … and hopefully we can all join in another demonstration to celebrate my release … you are a credit to Nottingham, a credit to Nottingham University, and a credit to students and student activism, and community activism”.

Free Hicham Yezza!

http://www.frictiontv.com/ftv_debate.php%5C?debate_id=3206

AMDANI JUMA: BAIL HEARING MONDAY 11 AUGUST

nobordersnottm — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Amdani Juma, the Nottingham Community worker whose deportation has been delayed pending Judicial Review, is to attend a Bail Renewal Application Hearing at Loughborough Reporting Centre on Monday August 11. Mr Juma?s Judicial Review Hearing was adjourned for three weeks on Tuesday July 29, after his solicitor and Home Office legal representatives failed to reach agreement.
A short campaign video paying tribute to our good friend Amdani Juma can be seen on YouTube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7qNho3_auGA

Background – from Press release by Friends of Amdani :: Wed 6 August 2008
Contacts: Rob Peutrell ? 07846765761 or Leo Keely ? 07742884335
Amdani Juma, a refugee HIV prevention and community worker in Nottingham, was detained by the immigration authorities on Friday 30th May 2008. when he went to sign at a Reporting Centre in Loughborough. He spent 18 days in detention. His removal was postponed once to give both sides more time and then a second time on June 10th pending a Judicial Review application. He was released and returned to Nottingham after an initial bail hearing in London on Monday 16th June. The purpose of the August 11 hearing is to ascertain whether Mr Juma has adhered to his bail conditions. Amdani is a Burundian national. In 2003, he was granted 3 years Humanitarian Protection but his later application for Indefinite Leave to Remain was turned down. A further application for discretion by the Home Office was also refused resulting in his present detention. Alan Simpson, MP for Nottingham South, and Nottingham Council leader Jon Collins have both spoken out in opposition to Amdani?s proposed removal. There have been three demonstrations in Nottingham and an online and paper petition combined have a total of over 5,600 signatures. http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html contains many testimonials from the community and has over 2,500 signatures. Paper petitions total almost 3,000. Signatories include Alan Simpson MP, and academic Noam Chomsky.

Update following Aug 11 hearing: Amdani’s bail has been renewed until November.

Support website for Amdani Juma – help us keep him in Nottingham

nobordersnottm — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You can help stop the Deportation of Amdani Juma on Wednesday:
http://friendsofamdani.wordpress.com/
Please go to the site and sign the e-petition now and also send letters to the airline & ministers (model letter on website), and tell everyone you know to do the same. Do anything else you can think of.

Welcome Hope to Nottingham’s Dafuris!

nobordersnottm — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Further to the great news update below that things are looking better for Dafuris in the UK generally as well those we have been worried about in Nottingham, all three of the Nottingham detainees are back and very grateful for all the support. However, we are hearing alarming stories of mistreatment. Abdul Hadi is diabetic and was not allowed to take his insulin or antibiotics with him when he was cast out of Colnbrook with nothing but an underground ticket to help him get back to Nottingham. If it wasn’t for his friends who have worked so hard to help him he might not have made it back and to the QMC, where he was put on a drip. Others, including from Nottingham, were similarly released from Oakington without travel tickets and stranded destitute in Cambridge. Friends helped over the phone to get them get to a station and talked to the travel clerk to pay for tickets. How many others have been released like this? Complaints should be made and if you have time to help with this we can put you in touch with NNRF people who have been doing such wonderful work on this case. Many thanks to those people and we are really glad to have everyone out and relatively safe.