Dear Supporters Please help Luka by doing the following: Fax or call Kenyan Airlines at Heathrow airport on phone 020 8759 7366, Fax 020 8745 5027.Tell them Luka Phiri is due to be deported to Malawi on Thursday 15th January 2009 on KQ101 Kenya Airlines leaving at 7pm. Luka is a Zimbabwean national who will be sent back to Zimbabwe by the Malawian authorities where he is likely to face serious abuse by the Zimbabwean authorities because he is a high profile activist. He is being forced on this flight against his will and will be very distressed and likely to cause distress to other passengers.
If you can fax the airline you could also send the Daily Mirror story on the following link. Print it out and mark the section on Luka:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/04/03/robert-mugabe-s-reign-set-to-end-in-zimbabwe-but-world-fears-a-bloodbath-115875-20371101/
According to the group London Without Borders Past experience tells us that it is possible to stop someone being sent on a particular flight by contacting the airline they’re due to be flying with. Airlines often say that they are not aware that asylum seekers are being deported on their flights. The airlines say they only know that the Home Office has booked a seat. If Kenya Airlines think they’re going to lose business by getting negative public attention they may well not send Luka on Tuesday’s flight.
London Without Borders also suggest you call the Home Office Press Office. Ask them if it is true that a Zimbabwean national is being sent to Malawi against his will. The Home Office Press Office aims to maintain a positive image for the Home Office. They will not want bad publicity. You could also tell them that you heard about the case on the radio / internet or wherever.
Phone numbers:
Immigration, International & Community Assistant Director: 020 7035 3829
Immigration Desk
Wendy Fielder: 020 7035 3815
Jan Kemal: 020 7035 3821
Helen Bower: 020 7035 3816
Rachel Shaw 020 7035 3817
The London without Borders info is from a posting in 2006 so some of the numbers / names may no longer be current. However start at the top and if they don’t answer, work your way down the list. http://noborderslondon.blogspot.com/2006/11/stop-deportation-from-heathrow-today.html
Vigil co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights by the current regime in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk
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