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Abdoulaye and Taha Campaign News

ASYLUM CAMPAIGN MEETS OLDHAM MPs IN LONDON

The asylum campaign for Abdoulaye Diabate and Taha Ghasemi supported by members of Oldham Unitarian Chapel reached a new stage on Tuesday March 20th as both men met Oldham's MPs, Debbie Abrahams and Michael Meacher at Westminster.

The MPs took time out from an extremely busy day (before going off to deal with the Health and Social Care Bill as it went through Parliament) so that they could receive petitions containing 2000 signatures. The petitions to be presented to the Home Office are seeking leave for both men to remain in the UK on compassionate grounds.

Both MPs spoke favourably about the progress of this campaign and promised their continuing support.

Abdoulaye Diabate also took the opportunity, to present Debbie Abrahams MP with a copy of his fresh appeal prepared by the Manchester immigration solicitors: Latitude Law. The new legal appeal was completed on March 16th and contains expert witness evidence.

Bob Pounder, the minister for Oldham Unitarian Chapel said, "We are receiving great support from the MPs, from our supporters and members of other Unitarian churches throughout the country.

"The legal work continues to be funded from the generous donations of individuals, churches, and through fundraising.

"The measure of support for this campaign may be judged by the fact that our Oldham MPs could meet us in London and find time give us their support and that the Chief Officer of the Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, Derek McAuley, on behalf of the denomination, is backing the campaign nationally."

See latest campaign photographs on Abdoulaye's and Taha's photo pages.

2000 SIGNATURE PETITIONS TO GO TO THE HOME OFFICE
ON 20th MARCH 2012

We have been offered the opportunity to present the petitions to the local MPs at the House of Commons rather than to the Home Office. It looks like we will be able to meet with one or both MPs and that we will be given a tour of the House of Commons. The Oldham MPs will ensure that the petition asking for leave to remain in the UK on compassionate grounds, for both men will then be presented to the Home Office.

The bus leaves at 0610 and arrives in London at 10.55. We will leave London at 17.00 and arrive in Manchester at 21.45.

I know that this will be a long day, but it also holds out the promise of taking our asylum campaign another step forward as well as being an interesting and memorable day. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to come with us to London on that day.

All good wishes,

Bob.

Abdoulaye and Taha Campaign News Campaign Launched on Sunday May 29th, 2011

Press Report 5th December 2011 (New)

We have won the support of the local press: http://menmedia.co.uk/oldhamadvertiser/news/s/1423854_church-launches-bid-to-stop-asylum-seekers-from-being-deported

www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/print/57581

Our campaign continues to go well with good solid support also from Michael Meacher MP and Debbie Abrahams MP. Abdoulaye and Taha are getting near to our first target of obtaining 1000 signatures each on their petition to Damien Green the Immigration Minister. If you can help with this please download the petitions.

We have produced a standard letter and to date we have personally mailed almost a hundred of these signed letters to Damien Green MP.

We have the support of RAPAR (Refugee and Asylum Seeker Participatory Action Research) it is the leading organisation in Greater Manchester working with those in our communities who are most at risk of having their human rights denied.

www.rapar.org.uk/news--views.html

Fund Raising and Legal Costs

We are also making an appeal for funds as we need to raise an initial £400 to meet legal expenses alone. (www.latitudelaw.com/) Would you please consider making a donation? Anything you can send (either by Bacs Transfer or a cheque) would be greatly appreciated and of course acknowledged.

MAKE A DONATION NOW!

Bacs Transfer

CAF Bank
Account Number: 00007222
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Holder: Oldham Unitarian Chapel

Postal your donation to: (Cheques payable to Oldham Unitarian Chapel)

Rev. Bob Pounder (Asylum Campaign)
Oldham Unitarian Chapel
King Street
Oldham
OL8 1EB