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Ugandan Asylum seeker
granted Asylum in UK
24 August 2006- Moses Kayizer
a gay Ugandan asylum seeker now living in Manchester has won the battle
to stay in the UK after a two year campaign supported by over 10,000
people. Kayizer fled from Uganda where homosexuality is illegal
following his arrest and subsequent torture and illtreatment in police
custody.
He arrived in the UK in May 2004.
His initial application for asylum was denied as was his appeal. He also
lost an application for a judicial review of this decision. Kayizer was
then threatened with deportation back to the country which had
persecuted him. He became very ill and was admitted to hospital.
During his stay in hospital he was
put in contact with a specialist law practice dealing with asylum and a
campaign was started to help him win asylum. He has had support from
individuals, churches, trade unions, student groups as well as LGBT
organisations. Over 10,000 signatures were collected on a petition to
the UK government, 3,000 post cards were sent to immigration minister as
were hundreds of letters and emails around the world.
Many MPs also raised Moses plight
with Home Office. Moses himself spoke to thousands of people on the main
stages at pride festivals in London and Manchester. An application for
humanitarian leave to remain in the UK was turned down but was given
leave to appeal this decision, and the earlier refusals, to immigration
Court.
This hearing took place in early
June and Moses head at the end of July had won this case. The judge held
that he was entitled to protection both as a refugee and under
humanitarian grounds.
The Home Office had five working
days in which to lodge an appeal the last day they could have been done
so was 7 August. But no such appeal was lodged. The Home Office must now
let him stay for five years before the situation in Uganda has been
reviewed. If nothing there has changed for lesbian and gay people he
should then be given indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Kayizer said: “I would like to thank
each and everyone of the thousands of people who supported me in my
fight for justice.
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