Mr Gichura is a founder member of Mwanzo Disabled Development Society, formed by disabled street sellers. He had to flee Kenya because of repeated violence and death threats, including from the authorities. Other members also fled abroad. In 2001, he claimed asylum from persecution but his asylum claim was refused.
His fresh claim of April 2006 was refused despite compelling evidence from Rachel Hurst OBE of Disability Awareness in Action (who is a member of the Advisory Group to the government Office for Disability Issues). Ms Hurst stated that, if deported to Kenya, Mr Gichura will be unable to get essential medical care, without which his life is in danger. He has a spinal injury with associated bladder problems and is waiting for an operation he could never afford in Kenya.
People with disabilities and ill-health are being dismissed as expendable. Refusing his application, the Home Office said: "a person's medical condition must be at such a critical stage that there are compelling humanitarian grounds for not removing them to a country which lacks the medical and social services to prevent acute suffering before death". Even Mr Gichura’s situation does not satisfy this test, which lawyers say almost no one can meet.
Mr Gichura was first detained in Harmondsworth detention centre in February 2006. He could not access the toilet or shower safely, was given the wrong medication and was searched in a painful and threatening way, all of which made his health worse. This time he did not have a proper bed, contributing to terrible back pain. He has launched a legal case under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Human Rights Act (HRA) about the appalling and inaccessible conditions in detention. His case is likely to set an important precedent establishing what entitlement we all have, to care and humane treatment.
Days before he was detained for the second time, Mr Gichura had taken part with WinVisible in the Transport for All “Claim the Buses” action by wheelchair users, and been interviewed by ITN’s London Tonight. Is he being victimised in the UK too for upholding disability rights? He is a long-time volunteer with Leonard Cheshire, member of Payday men’s network and active in his church.
The right to medical care and accessible living conditions, set out in legislation including Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights – the right to life – must be upheld. Support Peter Gichura now!
What you can do to help
Please write to or email the Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, demanding that Mr Gichura (HO ref: G1053958) be granted the right to stay -- model letter on Payday’s website www.refusingtokill.net - or write your own. Liam Byrne MP, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF fax 020 7219 2417 email byrnel@parliament.uk
Please copy to: Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People fax 01786 446513 email mcguirea@parliament.uk Malcolm Wicks MP (Mr. Gichura’s MP)
fax 020
8683 0179 email
wicksm@parliament.uk
WinVisible (women with visible and invisible disabilities) Tel 020 7482 2496 (voice/minicom) winvisible@allwomencount.net
Payday, a network of men working with the Global Women’s Strike Tel 020 7209 4751 mobile 07803 789699, payday@paydaynet.org |
