Thank you, Thank You, Thank you, very much

Hi blogreaders from Bristol, the UK and beyond... I asked Khethiwe what she would like me to say to you all and she said

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... there are no words. I am so happy to be home in Bristol."

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Thursday was a very special day at Bristol Refugee Rights as we celebrated Khethiwes homecoming and also Morgane, another member who we campaigned against the detention and deportation of earlier this year won his appeal to stay. With amazing food, singing and cakes we celebrated at the Thursday drop-in.

You can still help by telling and encouraging your friends to make a contribution towards Khethiwe’s legal fees. These can be sent to Borderlands c/o Assisi Centre, Lawford’s Gate, Bristol, BS5 0RE (cheques made payable to ‘Borderlands’ and marked legal fees on the back).

Thanks to everyone :-)

Khethiwe being released today!

At Last! We have been told Khethiwe is BEING RELEASED TODAY!

Just yesterday people gathered on Bristol College Green, in support of Khethiwe, there were speeches about Khethiwes situtation, from friends and supporters of Khethiwe. People spoke about how ridiculous the length of detention has been, about Bristol City of Sanctuary in which Khethiwe played such a large part and about the conditions in detention centres. A supportative letter was read out from Peter Hammond, leader of the Labour group of councillors and solidarity was expressed for all asylum seekers facing detention.

Today we hear the good news that Khetiwe is being released and will taste freedom for the first time in 6 weeks. As we celebrate this amazing news, we must continue to stand in solidarity with those detained and not given a fair hearing of their case. Check out the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns and Free Movement, which share information from Anti-deportation campaigns across the UK and have supported Khethiwes campaign prominently.

Thank you everyone and we will let you know when Khethiwe is back in Bristol.

Khethiwe should not be in Yarls Wood Detention Centre - Protest Thursday 3rd Nov

(not tomorrow as I accidently posted... )

Zimbabwean human rights activist Khethiwe Mashavave is still detained in Yarls Wood. The Home Office accepts that Khethiwe has a legal case to persue. There is no justification to continue to detain her.

Come to Bristol College Green, 3rd November at 3pm, to protest at her continued detention OR to celebrate her return to Bristol!

Khethiwe has been in UK since 2002, she claimed asylum because of her activity in Zimbabwe and fear of return to Mugabe’s regime. She has been active for many years in a number of groups and organisations in Bristol , including her church, as a volunteer in Bristol Refugee Rights, Bristol City of Sanctuary, in the local group calling for Human Rights in Zimbabwe.

Khethiwe was highly prominent at the official public launch of Bristol as a City of Sanctuary in June this year. She was the keynote speaker for asylum seekers and refugees in the Council House at the civic launch ceremony. She was alongside the Lord Mayor, the Lord Lieutenant, the Leader of the Council Barbara Janke, the Dean of Bristol Cathedral and the Secretary of SW TUC. Her speech was applauded loudest and longest by a packed audience.

We want Khethiwe back home in Bristol - now and for a secure future!

Good News: Khethiwe should be released soon....

We've had some good news from Khethiwe.

Her solicitors have told her that the Home Office have agreed to allow them to resubmit her Judicial Review. Her current dentention is due to the the decision about it going missing in the first place, so this means there is no reason to detain her, as she is no longer liable for removal.

We believe she should be released soon. It may be some days before this happens, but it is really positive news.

Khethiwe says

"I am packing my bag now, ready to come home!"

Bristol Councillors come out to support Khethiwe.

Peter Hammond, leader of the Labour group of councillors.

Guy Poulteney Liberal Democrat Councillor.

On Thursday 13th Oct supporters of Khethiwe marched to Bristol City Council House to ask them to stand by their commitment to being a City of Sanctuary and to show their support for Khethiwe who is still detained in Yarls Wood. Walking from College Green up the approach road to the Council House calling out 'KHETHIWE MUST STAY" we reached the front doors and waited and these two councillors came out to support us. They both called the Chief Immigration Officer and also a letter was written.

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Three weeks ago Khethiwe was detained and this is our sixth protest. In these three weeks so many different people have signed petitions and come out to support Khethiwe and we want her back home in Bristol, having a chance to have her case heard properly.

Update: Demonstration on Thursday

Hi everyone, we are still waiting for news about Khethiwe. We expected to hear on Friday and it's Tuesday now and still no news.

So, whatever the decision .. we want as many people as possible to come to:

College Green on Thursday October 13th to assemble 1.30pm for 2pm to make it clear that "KHETHIWE MUST STAY"

Campaigning and protesting have already prevented her deportation to Zimbabwe, which was originally scheduled for Thursday 29 September. We hope Khethiwe will be given the opportunity to put her case properly and be freed from Yarls Wood ... and even be there to welcome us all on Thursday. What a wonderful thought!

If not, we must be her voice to speak out for justice and for her safety. Please be there on Thursday.

If for any reason you can't make it on Thursday, you can still help by telling and encouraging your friends within your networks to come, and/or make a contribution towards Khethiwe's legal fees.

Please send cheques (made payable to Borderlands and marked "Legal fees" on the back) by post to Borderlands, Assisi Centre, St Nicholas of Tolentino Church, Lawford's Gate, Bristol, BS5 0RE.

Khethiwe demo 12:30pm onwards - Mon 3rd Oct

Khethiwe is still detained in Yarl's Wood and her situation is still unresolved, therefore we are having another demonstration for Khethiwe on College Green from 12:30pm onwards to continue to highlight her situation and support her.

Legal Update

UPDATE:

Birmingham High Court officially issued the injunction at 4.30 pm yesterday (29th Sept).

The court has also required more information about the Judicial Review, to show that Khethiwe missed the right of her appeal because the former solicitors did not know or did not tell her about the refusal of JR application.

This means that a case is in progress and Khethiwe cannot be removed and can apply for bail.

Bristol Refugee Wins Deportation Reprieve - Bristol 24/7

Legal battle to stay in UK is given more time - Bristol Evening Post

Asylum Seeker given second chance - ITV West

Khethiwe not flying today!

We have good news: Khethiwe's flight is cancelled for today.

She will not being deported to Zimbabwe today!

This gives her solicitors a chance to put together her case. She is still detained and is likely to be served a further removal notice, but today she is safe!

Thank you for signing the petition, writing letters and calling the airline.

Please continue to contact MP's and encourage friends to sign the petition as Khethiwe is still at risk of deportation.

Please stop calling the Kenya Airlines now.

We heard the news whilst we were on College Green and whilst we know there is still more to do, there was a good atmosphere.

Khethiwe was even rang someones mobile and we were able to send our cheers to her, although at the time we spoke to her, we didn't know for certain her flight was not going ahead, we thought it wouldn't and we heard confirmation soon afterwards. The local ITV news came down and will show their report at 6pm on ITV this evening.

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We are currently planning have a demonstation at 12:30pm/1pm onwards on Monday 3rd Oct on College Green.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Show Solidarity with Khethiwe on College Green at 12:30pm

UPDATE: Today (Thursday 29th) is a terrifying day for Khethiwe. She is due to be deported at 8pm tonight and no decision to delay her deportation has been made yet.

She will be moved to London today and she is scared about being manhandled by our police here in the UK as she is transferred, as this happened when she was detained.

If you can please come to College Green, Bristol at 12:30pm to show solidarity for Khethiwe.

We are keeping hope that we will hear news, and Kenya Airways sound like they have had lots of calls, please keep it up! Ring 020 8759 7366 and 020 8283 1800 to urge them not to carry out the removal of Khethiwe Mashavave on Kenya Airways flight KQ101/KQ700 @ 20:00 (8pm) on Thursday 29th September from Heathrow, UK to Harare, Zimbabwe. More about contacting Kenya Airlines. Someone we spoke to has said they will not force her to go, we don’t know whether to believe them, but it is encouraging, please keep phoning them! Please try to write down what they say and who you spoke to.

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"Love never fails; so we expect the City of Sanctuary in Bristol to be an example in this nation."

Khethiwe in her City of Sanctuary speech in Bristol Council House.

Khethiwe is a high profile member of the Bristol community, was a keynote speaker at the Bristol City of Sanctuary launch and has contributed her skills wholeheartedly to many groups and individuals, despite being refused the right to work and being destitute for many years in the UK.

Please come to College Green at 12:30pm to stand in solidarity with Khethiwe. To show the UK Government and media how much support she has and how disgusted we are that the UK government intends on handing over Khethiwe, a human rights activist, to a despotic and violent regime, that is particularly aggressive towards political opponents or activists. It is horrifying that no one knows what has happened to those the UK government has returned to Zimbabwe since the ban on returns was lifted last year.

Khethiwe needs time to have her case heard properly. She has not been well represented with her legal claim for asylum since she arrived in the UK. She has been denied the right of appeal to her Judicial Review application that was refused. UKBA did not notify her of their decision.