22 May 06 Elizabeth* is a Ugandan lesbian who fled to the UK in 2004, having lived her life as a lesbian secretly for many years. One night after being out with friends at an underground gay club she was visited at her home by several men she now believes to have been associated with the Ugandan authorities.

She was bundled into a car and taken to a so called 'Safe House' - unofficial Ugandan prisons where torture is regularly practised. Elizabeth was held for 5 months, during which time she was repeatedly raped, whipped and beaten. She eventually managed to escape, and fled to the UK where she claimed asylum.
 
Elizabeth's asylum claim, and her appeal, have both been rejected. Whilst the adjudicators recognise that homosexuals are persecuted in Uganda, they do not believe that the term 'homosexual', and therefore evidence relating to the treatment of homosexuals, applies to lesbians. They have also questioned her identity as a lesbian, because she had a child as a young woman. They show further misunderstandings about the nature of both underground gay communities, and of state sanctioned abduction, detention and torture.

Elizabeth has been detained today at the Dallas Court Immigration Centre, and is likely to be moved to Manchester Airport's Holding Centre tonight.

Elizabeth is in desperate and genuine fear of what awaits her if/when the Home Office forcibly deport her to Uganda. Not only has she been through the most terrible experiences, her long term partner, Patience, has not be heard from or of since 2004; Elizabeth fears that she too has been abducted and detained. Unsurprisingly the abuse Elizabeth suffered in Uganda, and her fear and sadness at the apparent loss of her partner, has left Elizabeth depressed and extremely worried for her future. Elizabeth is working with her solicitor and campaign group to gather fresh evidence and submit a new asylum claim.

Friends who have spoken to Elizabeth since her detention today believe she is suicidal. She needs your help.

Please urgently:
Fax Immigration Officers on 0161 8884129, expressing your outrage that such a vulnerable woman is being held in this way, quoting reference number K1182008. Please find a standard letter attached, which you can amend as you wish. This number is different to previous ones distributed, so please fax to it even if you have faxed before. Elizabeth has always complied with all Home Office requirements, attending whenever requested, and she is not at risk of absconding. She is at risk of committing suicide, and her detention is preventing the usual mental health support she receives. <<Standard fax.doc >>

Forward this article to friends who may want to help too.

Email to get more involved in helping with urgent campaigning to stop Elizabeth being deported in the next week. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Comments

Written by on 2006-05-24 16:20:40 Please click on standard fax doc sign and fax letter to 0161 8884129