TRADE UNION ACTION STOPS FLIGHT!
COME TO THE TRADE UNION CONFERENCE AGAINST IMMIGRATION CONTROLS, LIVERPOOL, MARCH 31st

Alphonsus Uche Okafor-Mefor is a Nigerian asylum seeker. He is also a political activist helping organise refugees in Liverpool. He was due to speak at the conference on immigration controls in Liverpool on March 31st. Organised by the No One Is Illegal coalition this has attracted wide union sponsorship. A leaflet is enclosed. At the end of February Adolphus was arrested without warning, imprisoned and told he would be deported in 48 hours. Within this time there was organised trade union activity co-ordinated by UCU (the University and College Union, a sponsor of the March 31st conference). The PCSU (Public and Civil Service Union) gave its support along with union branches and trades councils. Alphonus's flight was stopped at the last moment while at the airport!

Background

Alphonsus claimed asylum in 2005.He is an Igbo and belongs to MASSOB (Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra) who are campaigning for an independent Biafra . He was detained and tortured following attendance of a MASSOB meeting there. He has continued to campaign in the UK to highlight the persecution of the Biafran people and the murder of MASSOB members and Igbos by the Nigerian government through the Biafran Actualisation Forum . Now known to the Nigerian government he faces imminent danger if he is returned. MASSOB members here are active in the campaign for Adolphus.

Still in detention and deportation still a danger! Trade unions call for release!

Alphonsus is still not free. He is in Tinsley House Removal Centre and we must fight to get him out of detention. Paul Mackney, General Secretary of UCU says 'This case is of particular relevance to trade unionists as he was due to speak at a forthcoming 'No One Is Illegal' Trade Union Conference, of which UCU is a sponsor. He is a leading figure in the campaign group Asylum voice who have campaigned against the abuses suffered by asylum seekers'.

What unions can do

(1) Email Liam Byrne: Minister for State for Immigration at byrnel@parliament.uk Quote ref number M1320887 Fax: 020 7035 4745
(2) Send copies to Adolphus's MP who is supporting him-John McDonnell-mcdonnellj@parliament.uk and to No One Is Illegal at noii@org.uk
(3) Attend the March 31st conference ,1-5.30pm,Asylum Links, St Annes Church,Overbury St, Liverpool 7