Ansu, and All
RE: ABDOUKARIM SANNEH CASE REF: 20087234
I spoke with Karim for an hour and fifteen minutes Thursday evening, and in pertinent part, here are some tasks we may undertake as members of our online community. A case like Karim's may implicate not only legal, but political considerations. As we search, with Karim, for a solution to this difficult and urgent matter, the sequence of events dictate that we remind ourselves of the following so as to chart a way forward from the perspective of the Forums. The following information was supplied by Karim for his colleagues on the Post, and the L.
Karim was screened, i.e., preliminarily interviewed, on 07 July 2009
His substantive asylum interview was slated for 10 February, 2009, but cancelled by the UK Border and Immigration Agency (BIA), and Karim detained. Although unstated to Karim, the reason for detention may be that he had no leave, i.e., visa expired, as of time he applied for international protection.
Karim's representation was commenced by Refugee Legal Centre (RLC), LEEDS, but with him now housed at the Hammondsworth Immigration Removal Centre in London, his file is now with the West London office of the RLC.
Substantive asylum interview likely to take place within the next two weeks as Karim is put on fast track. Again, fast track procedures are usually related to, among other reasons, the consideration that an applicant has no existing leave to remain in the UK at the time of applying for international protection.
Karim said he pointed out the state of general lawlessness in Gambian public life as the key supporting fact of his central claim that as a political activist, he is wanted by the Government of Yahya Jammeh. In the jargon of international protection, the Gambia Government harbours an adverse interest in Karim.
As the above sentence is the crux of the matter, I wish to remind those who intend to make representations on behalf of Karim to keep his own reasoning in mind, as well as aligning any representation to the letter and spirit of Article 1 (A) (2) of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees thus:
A. For the purposes of the present Convention, the term “refugee� shall apply to any person who:
(2) "owing to well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
On the objective evidence, Karim has a strong case, but I urge as many of us as possible to make individual representations considering the propensity of the BIA, in the name of the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD), to refuse applications on the ground, among others, that The Gambia is a democracy.
I recommend that representations be made in the following order of priority.
(1) The RLC, at fax number 02089873061, contact person is Barbara
Rationale: As Karim's legal advisers, the RLC not only prepares him for his substantive interview, but attends the interview, albeit as mere observers. In the event of a refusal, the RLC may front the appeal and deal with all support documentation in the matter. The RLC may not use every single representation at the initial stage, but if the matter proceeds to appeal, the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal would quite likely consider all material favouring Karim, and pertinent to his matter.
(2) Amnesty International
Rationale: An independent and respected international voice committed to the protection of human rights and dignity, it is a powerful pressure group for Karim's supporters to utilise. Karim said AI has dedicated an officer to his matter.
(3) Karim's Member of Parliament
Rationale: Although far less useful compared to the RLC as legal representative, and AI, as a credible and internationally respected pressure group, the MP can make representations to the SSHD on behalf of Karim.
(4) The SSHD
Rationale: As the political head of the Home Office, the public relations aspects of difficult cases, especially when removals are imminent, end up in her immediate environment. She may not deal with the matter personally, but she is likely to be made aware in cases attracting huge interest and incessant representations.
As part of our struggle for a Gambia without Jammeh at the helm of national affairs, Karim deserves the individual and collective support of members of the Post, and L. In this electronic age, a representation can be sent to all four recipients without any difficulty.
Karim would help us with the appropriate contact information, especially email, of the above individuals, and organisations. He may be able to get this from his legal representative.
As the fast track window can be quite narrow, time is of the essence.
Karim himself is contactable on telephone number 02082833850, extension 1266.
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO QUOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ANY FORMAL CONTACT ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE
ABDOUKARIM SANNEH CASE REF: 20087234
Please start thinking of what you want to say by way of representation to the 4 above. The fact that Professor Jammeh's Gambia is a ruthless dictatorship should of course be a central plank of any representation. As a general rule, this in itself is only significant in so far as it directly affects Karim. His contributions in the democratisation struggle amply demonstrates the Professor's adverse interest in him.
Karim asks that I extend his appreciation to Saihou Mballow, who already contacted the office of the SSHD, and James Bahoum, who already spoke to his legal representative.
Let us go to work for the physical integrity of a longstanding colleague
LJDarbo
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [>-<] Abdoukarim is in high spirits
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, 12 February, 2009, 10:59 PM
Yero, Given the time constraint, I'd suggest we write individually. In fact I was in the process of jotting down few things nice to say about my friend Yahya. Seriously though, tell Anmesty International that you support Brother Abdoukarim's Asylum application because of the human rights situation in The Gambia where the President has now annointed himself Chief Witch Hunter. Outline the condition in the country and why you think Abdoukarim will be 'toast' should he step foot in The Gambia. Abdoukarim has been active in this here Mighty Post (a few sample of his posts will help I guess) and elsewhere. His opposition to the regime of Yahya Jammeh has been documented here and elsewhere. Whatever we do here is just to show support so that pressure is applied to the case handlers in London. A. Koroma -----Original Message----- From: Y Jallow
< [log in to unmask]> To: aa1gambiapost mailing < [log in to unmask]> Sent: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 5:46 pm Subject: RE: [>-<] Abdoukarim is in high spirits
Thanks Ansu, can we think of a draft letter, possibly a single version faxed to all these organizations. please advice. let me know what is within parameter in defending his safety and privacy... I also did speak with him. He is in good spirit. I think, of late, UK changed a lot of their laws. (Courtesy of the Point) thanks always, yj
To: [log in to unmask]Subject: [>-<] Abdoukarim is in high spirits Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:36:16 -0500 From: [log in to unmask]Dear All, I spent approximately 15 minutes with Abdoukarim. He has asked me to let you know that he is in high spirits. he's also asked me to say to you that although the Detention Center is not where he would like to be presently, he did say say that he prefers it to Yahya Jammeh's Hell Hole also known as Mile II He has been contacted by Bahoum and others in the UK and also by Saihou Mballow and others on this side of the pond. Tomorrow, Abdoukarim will post more contact numbers and email addresses to supplement what brother Dave has posted this afternoon which I found
helpful. Amnesty
International UK is handling Abdoukarim's case. He has provided me with three email addresses to be posted here. Since I am not a member of the Gambia-L could someone please post these contacts there. For those planning to put in a word on behalf of Abdoukarim, please find the addressess below: 1. [log in to unmask] (Ms. Tanya Bernath) 2. [log in to unmask]3. [log in to unmask]May I suggest one letter addressed to Tanya and cc the rest. I hope this will get the letter writers started until we hear from Abdoukarim tomorrow, Inshallah. A. Koroma
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