Deporting Good Guys

43 comments from readers

Magda
14 February 2008 at 11:32

Guy deserves so much better, devoting his time and efforts to help other people, ... , I think it is ridiculous, and a disgrace for the home office, they should send him flowers and thanking him for contributing so much to the society, instead of departation.

Geraldine Gilbert
14 February 2008 at 11:41

I studied with Guy too. It's ironic that we studied human rights - he's now serving as an example of how the UK fails to respect its legal commitments in terms of international human rights treaties, as a supposedly free country that preaches democracy and rule of law to others. Guy is a good man with true grounds for leave to remain. What could can possibly be served by sending him back to Cameroon? I'm thinking of you Guy, and hoping the relevant people will do the right thing, legally and morally.

RichardWilson
14 February 2008 at 11:57

This case raises serious questions about the integrity of the asylum system, and the officials who oversee it. It seems that the government wants to claim credit on the international stage for pursuing a "humane" asylum policy, when in practice they are doing everything they can to undermine our commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Time and again we hear cases of due process being denied to refugees - documentary evidence being dismissed without good reason, medical evidence being ignored, Home Office officials making false statements about the human rights situation in a particular country in order to justify the claim that that country is "safe" for deportations, and erroneous decisions being announced at very short notice, so as to undermine the possibility of a proper legal defence.

A report released by Amnesty in February 2004 revealed that Home Office asylum decisions are based on inaccurate and out-of-date country information, unreasoned decisions about people's credibility and a failure to properly consider complex torture cases. Government figures show that the Home Office got the initial decision wrong on nearly 14,000 asylum cases in 2002, meaning around one in five cases are overturned after costly appeals.

Since Amnesty's 2004 report was issued, the situation has only got worse. We're seeing torture victims being deported to Darfur to face further torture, as well as attempts to deport political activists into the hands of the Mugabe regime in Zimabwe, and the vicious government of Uzbekistan, where torture is endemic. Time and again, when the Home Office is pushed into allowing due process to a refused asylum seeker, they have been forced to acknowledge that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution, and grant them that most basic of human rights protections, the right to seek asylum.

I very much hope that Guy will be granted his right to a fair hearing, and that once the evidence has been properly examined, the Home Office will see the manifest merits of this case.

RichardWilson
14 February 2008 at 12:00

The link to that Amnesty report: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_15239.pdf

danielletaylor
14 February 2008 at 12:51

I absolutely support Guys case - the home office need to reverse their decision and rethink what seems to be such an unfair system! I wish Guy every success in staying in the UK and getting on with his life in peace!

Craig_Griffiths
14 February 2008 at 12:55

the way Guy has been treated by the Home Office is a disgrace. Guy has built a life for himself in this country, and contributed a lot to his community. And let us not forget that he faced possible detention and violence back in Cameroon. I sincerely hope that the relevant authorities see sense on this case. As RichardWilson reminds us, first and foremost, this is an example of due process being denied to refugees - and a gross infringement on their human rights.

Good luck Guy

nicolaedmondson
14 February 2008 at 13:04

This is the kind of thing that demonstrates everything that is wrong with our system. We reward those who do nothing for society, but refuse to help and acknowledge those who are contributing and working hard to be good citizens. Good luck Guy, I hope it all works itself out for you.

Sebastien
14 February 2008 at 13:25

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

eastonjoey
14 February 2008 at 13:28

This is shocking- I hope that the government listen to the support that this guy obviously has and reconsider. It amazes me that it should be so short-sighted in this matter.

IDP
14 February 2008 at 13:47

Guy is clearly in danger if he is sent back to Cameroon and the government should take heed of this and stop him being deported.

slwmarais
14 February 2008 at 14:33

Guy has done everything asked of him by the government and has sought only to have the law applied fairly. To be treated this way is shocking.

Dot Harrison
14 February 2008 at 14:35

The government's treatment of Guy and similar asylum seekers is inhuman at worst, and incompetent at best. I know Guy, and all the comments which have been made are true - he is a wonderful person and an asset to this country. It's hard to see a government I have voted for carrying out such hideous acts in my name.

A. Rozycki
14 February 2008 at 18:19

I was fortunate enough to have met Guy in the course of my MA degree, and honestly believe that he to contribute to this great country, while risking gross abuses of his human rights at home. I sincerely hope, therefore, that the specific facts of his case be explored in detail and that the Government may find it proper not to deport him in his exceptionally difficult situation.

CharlotteR
14 February 2008 at 18:26

All Asylum seekers deserve better than this. Guy did everything he was supposed to do, yet he has been treated like a criminal. I truely wonder how the people in the Home Office can sleep at night, knowing full well the suffering they are causing to innocents.

gstokes
14 February 2008 at 19:35

I can't help but wonder if Guy isn't a victim of the governments knee jerk reaction to the ill-considered arguments of certain tabloids about asylum seekers and their sensationalist headlines. Guy is male and single so can be deported, nevermind the legitimacy of his case or the very real threat of torture he faces if returned.

dimitri zenghelis
14 February 2008 at 19:48

I know Mr. Njike indirectly. This man not only faces a significant risk of persecution on return to Cameroon, he has also shown himself to be a model citizen, with respect for UK asylum law, and undertaking generous communitarian acts in supporting society. By contrast, the respect shown by the immigration authorities is lamentable. Their action is not only devoid of common humanity, it is degrading to the espoused values of this country.

The deportation order must be reversed and Mr. Njike allowed the right to appeal. He deserves nothing less.

Jenny Hamilton
14 February 2008 at 20:43

We think we live in a fair and just society (and the motto of the Home Office is ' bulding a safe, just and tolerant society'). It is not until you come up against a case like Guy's that you realise just how brutal and unjust our society has become. Guy has contributed more to this society than he has taken. What good will it do to deport Guy? Satisfy some Home Office statistic?

roberts
14 February 2008 at 23:13

Let's hope that this works out so that he can get on with his life in peace.

Amber Cripps
15 February 2008 at 06:29

I studied on the same Human rights masters degree with Guy. It's so sad that exactly the type of injustices we studied, exactly the type of injustices our human rights, our laws are supposed to counterbalence, supposed to prevent, supposed to minimixe, exactly these human rights problems not only to they perpetuate them but they creae them: detention, sending people to torture!!! Well what can I say, please help to support Guy by sending this article to all those you know! Thank you.

willtucker
15 February 2008 at 08:07

It is so sad that our "justice" system kicks people who by simple chance of birth meet misfortune and disaster, who flee such danger to the relative security of the UK and find that our systems condemn them to a terrible fate. I believe in UNIVERSAL human rights. If we continue along the lines that our immigration policies are taking we are creating a moral apartheid where we value the lives of those lucky enough to be born in rich and powerful countries over the lives of the faceless masses abroad. The deportation of Guy would seem to stink of a disregard for human life and the fundamental dignity by which we would all wish to have protected.

julia.seifer-smith
15 February 2008 at 14:26

I too studied with Guy for the Human RIghts MA. What a terrible irony that the very abuses that we studied in our course were perpetuated on one of our colleagues, and that the remedies we would seek for our clients now are the same that are proving ineffective at ensuring Guy's continued safety. This is outrageous.

Gorillas Heinemann
15 February 2008 at 14:42

What is the point in british law having the ability for individuals to seek asylum if someone who apparently works hard, commits spare time to improving this country and will most likely be tortured and rot if he gets deported!

We keep getting told by our government that they spend billions on war to help oppressed people! Here's their chance to gain someone who has returned as much to this country as it will hopefully give him (asylum). Britain will stop someone being oppressed and our country will benefit our country!

or are we no better than the countries we fight and the animals we eat...

Liz Pearce
15 February 2008 at 16:51

Why indeed are we deporting someone like Guy, who has followed all our rules and given so much to this country? Thank you to Sara and friends for publicising this case.

Sara Hall
16 February 2008 at 10:49

Thank you very much for all your comments. It really shows what a great person Guy is if so many people are so deeply upset about his imminent deportation.

Guy is currently still in the UK - still in detention in Southwark. His deportation order for 6.30 this morning was cancelled. This is standard procedure when an application for a judicial review is launched - as happend in his case yesterday.

HE IS STILL VERY MUCH IN DANGER OF BEING DEPORTED SOON !

850 people - including Lord Joffe, who used to defend Nelson Mandela, have signed a petition on Guys behalf so far

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopdeportationofguy/sign...

Guys friends in Birmingham are holding a protest outside the constiuency office of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith as I write this.

If you want to tell her to let Guy stay in the UK and not deport him to possible torture here is what we suggest you say:

http://stopdeportationofguy.wordpress.com/urge-home-secretar...

For more ways to get involved and to be updated on Guys case please click here:

http://stopdeportationofguy.wordpress.com/

dre
17 February 2008 at 09:30

hi all

i live here in Cameroon.

let me tell you that there are a lot of people that are running out of the contry because the economical situation is not good in the 90 th ..

and when they are outside the said that they are asylum seeker and that they are presecuted here ..

this is not true.

is not the same situation like in 1992...

your friend is a liar , he is not a political refugee but an economical one ...

k from douala dre_72@hotmail.com

Sara Hall
17 February 2008 at 13:08

Do you know Guy Njike personally ?

If yes - where is your prove that he left for economical reasons ?

If not - I am very sorry but you seem to be making very sweeping generalizations here.

Have you been involved with the opposition party Social Democratic Front , like Guy ? Or any other activity along those lines ?

If yes - what can you tell me about your experiences ?

I have known Guy for many years. Professor Hamiltion says "I have absolutely no doubt about Guys integrity." As - I assume - did the Medical Foundation when they allocated their limited resources to give counselling to Guy.

I trust the judgement of the above and my own more than that of someone who apparently does not know Guy personally, calls him a liar and gives his name as "dre" and a hotmail address. Sorry.

Kirrily
17 February 2008 at 13:26

If anyone is in doubt about the human rights situation in Cameroon I would suggest that you read the report produced by the Home Office (how ironic!) available at

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/country_reports.html

which cites the US state department report available at

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78723.htm

I would draw attention in particular to the following sections

"The government's human rights record remained poor, and it continued to commit numerous human rights abuses. Security forces committed numerous unlawful killings; they regularly engaged in torture, beatings, and other abuses, particularly of detainees and prisoners. Impunity was a problem in the security forces. Prison conditions were harsh and life-threatening. "

"The constitution and law prohibit such practices; however, there were credible reports that security forces continued to torture, beat, and otherwise abuse prisoners and detainees."

"The government restricted citizens' freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and harassed journalists. The government also impeded citizens' freedom of movement."

"The law provides for freedom of assembly; however, the government restricted this right in practice.

The law requires organizers of public meetings, demonstrations, or processions to notify officials in advance but does not require prior government approval of public assemblies and does not authorize the government to suppress public assemblies that it has not approved in advance. However, officials routinely have asserted that the law implicitly authorized the government to grant or deny permission for public assembly. Consequently, the government often did not grant permits for assemblies organized by persons or groups critical of the government and repeatedly used force to suppress public assemblies for which it had not issued permits.

Security forces forcibly disrupted the demonstrations, meetings, and rallies of citizens, trade unions, and groups of political activists throughout the year."

What the law says and what happens are too totally different things and this is coming from governmental not human rights NGO reports.

I am sure however if you are a government supporter the situation is completely different........

Emily Pearce
17 February 2008 at 15:04

It seems strange that 'dre' feels able to generalise about EVERY SINGLE asylum seeker from Cameroon...

apollin
18 February 2008 at 09:21

my name is Apollin Nana and I am from Cameroon.

please do not take into consideration the comments made by the so-called "dre" as it seems he has no knowledge about the Human rights situation in Cameroon. he has quote the year 1992, but let me tell you that since that year there has been no major improvement of the country's record on Human rights. his comment is that of someone who is either one of the torturers in Cameroon or the supporters of the Ruling regime in charge o the country for 25 years now and attempting to change the country's constitution to keep a firm grip to the state.

I affraid but this Mr "Dre" has made no reference to back up his unhelpful comments as there is none with substance.

The fact is there has been no major change of circumstances in Cameroon’s Human Rights record;

USA Report on Human Rights Practices: Cameroon released in March 2007

“The government's human rights record remained poor as does it's understanding of human rights, and it continued to commit numerous human rights abuses. Security forces committed numerous unlawful killings; they regularly engaged in torture, beatings, and other abuses, particularly of detainees and prisoners. Impunity was a problem in the security forces. Prison conditions were harsh and life threatening. Authorities arbitrarily arrested and detained Anglophone citizens advocating secession, local human rights monitors and activists, and other citizens. The government restricted citizens' freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and harassed journalists. The government also impeded citizens' freedom of movement. The public perceived government corruption to be a serious problem. Societal violence and discrimination against women; trafficking in persons, primarily children;”

franky
19 February 2008 at 10:43

Hi,

why puting the blame on the BIA,they are just doing their job,the one to be blamed i think are the british people we all know the kind of pressure the have put on the government these recent years to be more tough on asylum seekers. to me most people in this country are happy with the way asylum seekers are being treated.could you tell me what would have been your reaction if Guy wasn't a friend of yours? and what about all those who are in the same situation but with no friends around to help? let's stop this hypocrisy.

RichardWilson
19 February 2008 at 17:50

Franky, it's quite right to blame the BIA because they routinely tell lies in order to discredit the testimonies of torture survivors and justify deporting people to countries which are not safe.

"Just doing their job" is not an excuse if the end result is that a human being dies or is viciously tortured. The prison guards at Auschwitz were "just doing their job", as were the secret police who rounded up ethnic minorities and delivered them into the hands of the SS.

Rather than standing up to the right-wing extremists and telling the truth - which is that the reason so many people flee here is because many governments around the world, including many of our "allies" - routinely commit vicious human rights abuses against anyone who dares to speak out against them, the Immigration Authorities connive in the pretence that the refugees who flee here are just making it up, even when this means dismissing clear medical evidence of torture. That's the hypocrisy, and that's what needs to be confronted.

Emily Pearce
20 February 2008 at 00:33

It most certainly isn't hypocrisy. If Guy wasn't my friend I would still support him, just like the 1,300 odd people who don't know him but have signed a petition to support him and his case.

I agree there are thousands of asylum seekers in the UK in a similar situation and this is utterly wrong, no genuine asylum seeker should be returned to a country where they will be tortured, and no human being should be kept waiting for 8.5 years for a decision like this.

If Guy's case wins then maybe other genuine asylum seekers who have been refused becasue of a very flawed and backlogged asylum system, will have a chance of protection too, and I would support them all if I could.

Some British public and some British media have indeed ensured that the word 'asylum seeker' is now a dirty word. But this is certainly no excuse for the Home Office not to protect those who genuinely need protection.

franky
20 February 2008 at 11:41

It is right to say the H.O should give the protection to those who genuinely need it, but in fact it is not that easy. for exemple How do you know who is a genuine asylum seekers and who is not? how can you prouve to me that those who were granted the protection by the H.O were all genuine refugees, and those who were not are bogus? to me the entire system is some kind of lottery only the luckiest can win the protection. and i challenge any of you to show i am wrong. please put aside the words and look arroud you, approach these desperate people and maybe you will learn more.

roberts
20 February 2008 at 21:39

"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire"

Talmud

Emily Pearce
21 February 2008 at 11:48

Franky, I'm not really sure what point you are trying to make, I am confused by your argument.

I'm glad that you agree that the H.O. should give protection to those who genuinely need it. And of course this is not easy. However, it is the job of those in charge of the H.O to ensure that this is done, and if the system is not fit for purpose, to change it! For example, they could employ people who are country experts to interview asylum seekers from that country and make the decisions (rather than people who don't know about the country of origin and rely on the few paragraphs of H.O. country information). There should also be provision for good quality legal representation for all asylum seekers.

The asylum system should not be a lottery and all 'these desperate people', if they have a genuine claim, should be granted protection.

I am already looking around and seeing these things, and trying to do what I can to change them, why don't you join us in trying to do this, Franky?

Sara Hall
22 February 2008 at 21:51

Latest update on the campaign to save Guy:

The campaign is going really strong.

Guys friends managed to hand over the petition to stop the deportation of Guy to the Minister of State of Borders and Immigration directy in parliament on Tuesday.

Please write to him and ask him to stop the deportation:

http://stopdeportationofguy.wordpress.com/call-on-minister/

Yesterday students and alumni of Guys old college protested against the decision to deport him. They dressed up as judges and immigration officials and held up a score board indicating that the UK asylum system has failed Guy on all accounts.

For more info on the protest please check out the blog:

http://stopdeportationofguy.wordpress.com/

and please sign the petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopdeportationofguy/inde...

Dave Stamp
01 March 2008 at 21:38

Guy's story is, sadly, only too commonplace: only this week, - exactly as the media was reporting that America's top intelligence official has admitted that after six years of US-led military support and billions of pounds in aid, security in Afghanistan is "deteriorating" and President Hamid Karzai's government controls less than a third of the country, a Birmingham man, Zaman Ahmed Zahin, was detained as he went to report at Solihull's Midlands Enforcement Unit. He is due to be be forcibly removed to Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 4th, despite evidence that his life is at risk since his return, and despite the fact that Zaman has built an exemplary life for himself in the 6 years he has been in the UK, working legally, paying taxes, contributing to the UK's economy and never claiming a penny in welfare support.

Sara Hall
03 March 2008 at 08:42

Hi Dave

thank you for sharing this information. It sounds very familiar to Guy's case. Please let us know what happens to Zaman: stopdeportationofguy@googlemail.com

The National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaign offers some advice (including what you can do at the last minute):

http://www.ncadc.org.uk/

Barnaby Pace
05 March 2008 at 16:55

I don't know Guy personally but his case is a clear example of what is wrong with UK policy towards asylum seekers, Guy seems to be an excellent citizen and contributed greatly to our society and yet his motives are bashed in the most illogical way and his right to stay here taken away from him, we should be an example to the world on human rights instead the government pander to the alarmist rantings of daily mail writers and persecute good people. I hope that guy's deportation can be stopped and the asylum system massively improved.

james quaynor
11 April 2008 at 14:16

I studied with Guy at the Uni. of London, he is such a good man and committed to contributing his quota to British society. What really gets me down is, Guy has never been in truoble with the Police and plays by the rules. There are other unwanted people who are granted Asylum and what does the society gets back.... a kick in the face like someone said what does the government want to achieve by deporting Guy..........

winey
25 May 2008 at 02:31

i do think its a shame that we live our contry in pain and we still land in shame,as far as am consern we need not to blame the uk goverment but the monsters who chased us naked from our indvidual right and abuse our childhood, people who has rubbed us of sence of belonginess in our own contry.

Our torment started from home, called house of horror where your parent never goes wrong attitude, the placed caurses,swear,hit you without measure, sometime you are left with no hope from home.

The story people of uk hearing is strange to them remenber, this people are govern by rule of law not african stupid selfish tradition.

prime minister do enter train, they live with people on the street and most mp still have bicycles they ride to work, unlike the african monsters they are govern by self made power no accountability, they also become untouchable

So why do we blame uk government? The people to blame and kill are the monster who first kill jugestice in our own contries.

mool
31 May 2008 at 15:37

I know, lets move the whole population of Cameroon to Britain so their nasty government can't torture them anymore. Hooray.........you dolts.

Kathryn
12 September 2008 at 00:57

No one should be subjected to torture - it is one of the most fundamental of our human rights - and the whole function of the UK asylum system should be to protect people in situations such as Guy's. But instead, shamefully, it fails them time and again.

Guy's solicitors are in the process of submitting a fresh claim on his behalf. If you would like to help, please write a letter of support, by 19th September if you can. Further details can be found at:

http://stopdeportationofguy.wordpress.com/