STOP ASYLUM SEEKER ENIOLA ADEWALE BEING DEPORTED

ASYLUM APPEAL TO TAKE PLACE AT EAGLE BUILDING 4TH FLOOR,
215 BOTHWELL STREET, GLASGOW AT
9.30AM THURSDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC & PRESS ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE APPEAL - SUPPORT IS WELCOMED

Eniola a Nigerian asylum seeker came to the UK in April 2000. He hoped when moved to the YMCA in Glasgow over a year ago that he would be allowed to settle as a new citizen. In Nigeria, Eniola an ex Bank Manager was tortured and persecuted for campaigning for democratic rights. After watching those he loved being murdered, he managed to escape from the security police after having been arrested and tortured. He escaped to this country, so he could live his life in freedom.

However his problems were not over. On the 11th August Eniola received a letter from the Home Office informing him that the YMCA no longer wished for him to remain in their accommodation. They ordered that he be moved from Glasgow to Leicester. All this happened in the space of a few days. Eniola's only crime was that he along with others who could speak English on behalf of fellow asylum seekers expressed their despair at humiliating manner in which they were treated by the management of the YMCA. Eniola was one of the several asylum seekers who spoke to a cross party Parliamentary meeting at Edinburgh on 5th July 2000, Eniola delivered an emotional appeal to MSPs stating Many of us are attacked because we are asylum seekers-we have a tag on our head wherever we go. We are not beggars. We want to make a contribution as long as we are here. We just want to be treated as human beings.

Since that event Eniola has individually been singled out for victimisation by the Home Office. A democratic society is founded on the basis that everyone has freedom of speech and a right to human rights. The manner in which Eniola Adewale has been dealt with is an abuse of these rights. The Secretary of State has informed Eniola that his Asylum application has been refused. His appeal will take place on the 27th September. The Home Office claims that Nigeria is now a safe democratic country. However recent reports have shown that human rights abuses are committed on a regular basis. In a visit by President Clinton last year to Nigeria visits to Northern areas were cancelled because his safety could not be guaranteed. If Eniola is returned he will at best face imprisonment and torture or worse death. His political views and criticism of the lack of democracy in Nigeria speaking out in Scotland has increased the danger to his life. How can the Home Secretary guarantee that Eniola will not be killed.

Eniola states We stated at Parliament they we merely wish to be treated as human beings. We presented a petition signed by over 70 asylum seekers from the YMCA. The MSP's had kindly listened to us and for the first time we felt that we had a voice. We have all escaped murder, torture and abuse of our human rights and many of us escaped to this country because we believed British Democracy and Justice to be the best in the world. I never expected that I would be victimised for merely joining others to talk to representatives of this democracy.

Now we need everyones support including the Medias if we are to stop Eniola being deported to certain death or torture.

For further details contact Campaign coordinator - Aamer Anwar on 07980 443 807

For quotes for articles please contact:
Bill Speirs Gen Sec STUC or Rozeanne Foyer on 0141 337 8100,

Tommy Sheridan MSP 07887 779 5075

Shona Robison Chair of Cross Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees & Asylum Seekers 07967 689 2506,

Robina Qureshi Director Positive Action in Housing 0141 353 2220

The following individuals or organisations have supported Eniola:
The STUC General Council;
The Fire Brigades Union, Positive Action in Housing,
The Scottish Parliamentary Cross-Party Group on Refugees and Asylum Seekers,
Shona Robison MSP,
Malcolm Chisholm MSP,
Roseanna Cunningham MSP,
Cathy Jamieson MSP, Michael Russell MSP,
Tommy Sheridan MSP,
Trisha Marwick MSP,
Robin Harper MSP,
George Galloway MP,
Tam Dayell MP,
National Assembly Against Racism,
Scottish Somali Action, Refugee Action Group,
Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees,
Asylum Rights Campaign,
Scottish Socialist Party,
Anti Nazi League