2/7/2008

Cardiff Council have asked the UK Home Secretary to reconsider her decision to deport a Nigerian family who have been living in Cardiff for the past year and were due to be forcibly removed from the country today.

They have also written to British Airways asking them to exercise discretion and reconsider carrying unwilling deportees, as they are not obliged to do so.

Kemi Ayinde, a 24 year old woman from Nigeria, her husband Taiwo Salami also from Nigeria and their 18 month old daughter Yasmin had had their claim for asylum refused.

Kemi Ayinde was trafficked to the UK seven years ago and forced to work as a prostitute in London. She was told she would have to work as a prostitute for three or four years in order to pay for being brought to the UK and in order to be free.

She was not allowed to leave the house but managed to escape in 2004 and became homeless in London. Kemi is unable to return to Nigeria as she has no family members after being abandoned as a child and was destitute before she left the country.

She is five months pregnant and experiencing spinal problems, which means she cannot stand up on her own or stand straight. Her daughter Yasmin has an uncomfortable skin problem.

Kemi's husband Taiwo has been working as a volunteer for Sue Ryder Cancer Care in Cardiff, their daughter attends a playgroup and the family attend church and are involved with Nigeria Community Wales.

The family has recently been held at a detention centre where they have been experiencing stress and depression because of their current situation.

Council Leader Rodney Berman said, "We are urging the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to reconsider her decision to remove this family and allow them to stay safe in the UK where they can live without fear of repercussions from human traffickers in Nigeria and where they can continue the family life that they have developed in Cardiff.

"The mother's health could be seriously affected if they are deported. We ask the Home Secretary to look again at this case and urge British Airways to reconsider their position in assisting the process."

Deputy Leader Neil McEvoy added, "It is disgusting that a woman who is pregnant and ill is being deported. We believe that Kemi's health in particular is at high risk if she is forcibly removed. We are also aware that companies like British Airways are able to exercise discretion and are not obliged to carry unwilling deportees.

"The UK has a proud history of providing a place of safety for genuine refugees and we believe strongly that this family should be allowed to stay in Cardiff where they have an active family life which is heavily involved in the local community."