From: itusc-AT-gn.apc.org Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1997 10:44:33 GMT Subject: PAFFAC wins asylum victory This is from the International Trade Union Solidarity Campaign (ITUSC) at:- e-mail: itusc-AT-gn.apc.org website: http://www.itusc.org.uk 'snail' mail: PO Box 18, Epsom, Britain, KT18 7YR Tel/Fax ++44 (0) 1372 817 778 _____________________________________________________________________ Dear Comrades & Friends, Please give this message the widest possible circulation and let it give heart to others in struggle Keith Standring PAFFAC WINS ASYLUM VICTORY The Pan Afrikan Freedom Fighters Asylum Campaign (PAFFAC), formed in October 1996 in response to the Tory Government attacks on refugee political activists, has achieved its first victory against the Asylum & Immigration Act. The Home Office is yet to recover from this humiliating defeat, as it was compelled to grant full refugee status to Affiong Southey, a Nigerian political activist and member of the ITUSC Committee. In May 1996, the Home Office rejected Affiong's asylum application and rushed her appeal through the fast track process. Around the same time other refugee political activists from Ghana and the Ivory Coast were also served with rejection notices. This was clearly an attack on political activists >from the asylum-seeking communities meant to instil fear into the wider community and effectively silence any voices of protest by attempting to make an example of some front-line activists. The PAFFAC campaign, waged with a unique and uncompromising strong political thrust, brought together refugee groups, trade union activists and community organisations, with concrete support from comrades all over the world. On the eve of the appeal, the Home Office asked for an adjournment to consider "fresh evidence". However, there was nothing "fresh" about the evidence! What they realised at the proverbial 11th hour was that this was going to be "one hell of a case" and that we were prepared to challenge them politically, legally and by any means necessary! Although the appeal was called off, PAFFAC activists,strongly supported by the ITUSC went ahead with the planned protest action outside 10 Downing Street. The message was sent loud and clear to John Major and his cronies," We are here because you are still there!" As PAFFAC was preparing its 1997 fighting strategy, The Home Office wrote to say it had granted full refugee status to Affiong. PAFFAC believes that if the campaign had not been waged with a strong political perspective, Affiong would certainly have been put on a plane back to Nigeria. This victory teaches us never to put ourselves at the 'mercy' of the enemy. Even though Affiong's case has been won, we will intensify our efforts in support of other comrades, in the belief that a successful campaign will force a future Labour government to repeal the racist Act. Indeed, the PAFFAC campaign slogan says it all, "Smash immigration barriers, we have a world to win!" Keith Standring (itusc-AT-gn.apc.org)
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