Begum Belongs to Dover
Kent Campaign to Defend asylum Seekers
Begum is an Indian rape survivor who does not wish her full identity to be
revealed for fear that her abusive ex husband will find her and kill her if
she is forcibly returned to India.
Begum was 'captured' on Wednesday when she reported to her local immigration
centre in Kent and taken to Yarl's Wood Removal Centre. Her supporters who
accompany her to her monthly signing last glimpsed her banging on the windows
of the van that was transporting her to detention
Begum faces deportation to India on Saturday June 17th on flight AI 102 at
9.45am from Heathrow Airport.
After being refused asylum a year ago Begum mounted a campaign in her hometown
of Dover supported by Kent Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers (KCDAS) and Kent
Refugee Action Network (KRAN). Begum volunteers for KRAN as an administrator
and is currently visiting six Immigration Detainees in Dover for Dover
Detainee Visitor Group. Very recently she graduated on a Human Rights Advocacy
Course for Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Liberty's Director Shami Chakrabati
was present at her graduation. Begum has been in the UK for more than three
years after fleeing rape and forced marriage in India that arose due to a
family dispute. Begum is very well loved in her community and women in Dover
have been deeply moved by her story and identified with her struggle against
sexual to violence. Many women have said to us during campaign street stalls,
" Why send her back, she belongs to us in Dover?"
Begum has set up her own project "Yam " (which means climbing tree) to raise
awareness about Domestic Violence and how it affects women from South Asian
countries. Women cannot access protection from the Police and Judicial system.
When they claim asylum and in the UK they are faced with a culture of
disbelief and frequently refused asylum because the Home Office ignore it's
own guidance on gender. Begum was to speak about these issues at a special
meeting for Refugee Week in Canterbury with Lucy Wake from Amnesty
International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign. Her story was also
featured in " Women for Refugee Women" an event organised in May by the
Guardian Journalist Natasha Walter to campaigning to ensure that the UK
government takes seriously asylum claims by women who have been subject to
gender persecution.
Begum's campaign has the support of her MP Gwyn Prosser. Yesterday Gwyn
Prosser sought an urgent meeting with the Immigration Minister Liam Byrne to
ask for her case to be reviewed on compassionate grounds. He has written to
Begum at Yarl's Wood and this letter was read out at a vigil outside the Town
Hall in Dover attended by more than 50 people, called with only few hours'
notice. Begum also has the support of the MP Diane Abbott.
Begum's mental health has suffered due the trauma of sexual violation and the
anxiety about forced removal. At Yarl's Wood and if deported to India she
cannot access psychiatric support and her rape crisis counselling. She is
currently deeply distressed and friends are concerned that she may self-harm
rather than be deported. Her psychiatrist Dr Malasi has always maintained that
detention places Begum at risk of self-harm and suicide. The Immigration
authorities are aware of this and Dr Malasi will be faxing Gwen Prosser to
make this point again.
What you can do to help
Friends of Begum have put together a model letter, below, that you can
copy/amend/write your own version and fax to the Minister of State for
Nationality, Citizenship and Immigration Liam Byrne MP. Requesting that Begum
should be released from detention and the removal stayed.
Fax: 020 7219 2417 from outside the UK + 44 20 7219 2417
Liam Byrne
Minister for Immigration
3rd Floor
Peel Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Please notify the campaign of any faxes sent:
Begum Must Stay Campaign
C/0 Kent Campaign to Defend asylum Seekers
kadams314@hotmail.com
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/
Letter
Liam Byrne
Immigration Minister
The Home Office
3rd Floor
Peel Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Dear Mr Byrne
Re Begum, Home Office Ref H1096253
I am asking you to show compassion for Begum an Indian rape survivor who has
been refused asylum and was taken to Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre after
reporting to her local immigration centre. Begum faces deportation to India on
Saturday June 17th at 9.45 am. Begum is terrified that her abusive ex husband
who is the Editor of a strongly Islamic newspaper will find her and kill her
if she is returned. Therefore she does not wish to reveal her identity.
Begum came to the UK more than three years ago fleeing her male cousin whom
she was forced to marry after he violated her as a result of a family feud.
Begum’s cousin divorced her almost immediately disputing her dowry. He then
waged a campaign of harassment against her and her family. Begum’s father died
in suspicious circumstances and her mother died subsequently. After receiving
death threats from her ex husband Begum withdrew from a civil action against
him that her father had initiated.
Begum was refused asylum because the Home Office say the domestic violence she
suffered does not amount to persecution and that she can safely relocate to
another city. However as a lone woman it would be very hard for her to find
security.
Begum is currently receiving psychiatric support and rape crisis counselling.
Evidence from Amnesty International’s South India Team indicates that that
this will be difficult to continue, “A rape victim if she is poor has no
assured access of quality psychiatric and social support. Additionally,
“Government-owned and NGO-run shelters are available but cannot provide
permanent relief- the victim will have to support herself. Scores of victims
are doing it but it puts them at further risk.”
Begum’s supporters are very worried about her detention at Yarl’s Wood. Her
psychiatrist Dr Malasi says “ I feel incarceration in a Detention Centre can
only aggravate her depression and
worsen her condition. If this happens she will be at risk of self harm and
suicide.”
Begum recently graduated on a Human Rights Course Advocacy Course for Refugees
and Asylum seekers campaigning for women like herself who have been violated.
Everyone in her community is very proud of her.
I appeal to you to release Begum from detention and allow her to remain in the
UK.
Yours sincerely
Name………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Address................................................................................................................................................
.
Postcode...............................................................................................................................................
June 2006
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