Pupils fight for deported friends

November 07, 2005

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MORE than one hundred children went on the march to protest at the forced removal to Uganda of five of their former classmates.

During a rally attended by up to 500 people, they read letters they had sent to prime minister Tony Blair appealing for their return.

Thirty-two-year-old Sarah Hata and her five children settled in Wigan 18 months ago after fleeing Uganda, where Sarah claims to have been tortured. Her children, aged between nine and fifteen, attended local schools and received glowing reports.

Last month, their application for asylum was refused, they were arrested and held at Yarls Wood detention centre, Bedfordshire.

The family are believed to be in hiding in Uganda and supporters say they are destitute after being given only a few minutes to gather their belongings when they were arrested. They left Britain with only £30.

Immigration staff refused to allow them to collect cash donated by their supporters.

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John & Edna Hulme, Wigan (08/11/2005 at 08:44)

We were part of the protest on Saturday,It made our hearts glad to see the childeren march and ask for justice for this family who have made such a great inpression on so many people in our town. We think British justice is the best in the world , but this time British justice is very wrong, people who have been tortured and raped & abused should not be sent back to the place where all this has taken place.

Cllr Ian Franzen, Wigan & Leigh (08/11/2005 at 11:25)

I was at the rally and was moved by the comments of friends and neighbours of the Hata family. They are a community who care and do not see this family as asylum seekers but as human beings. It is wrong for this government to allow people to be snatched from their homes and manhandled in and out of detention centres and aeroplanes. The family have been left in a vulnerable position with no support of any kind. It is a disgrace that the authorities can wash their hands and ignore the fact that the Hata family ever existed

edward houlton, Wigan (08/11/2005 at 17:31)

I attended the protest on Saturday. I feel deeply disgusted that a democracy could consider let alone actually send people back to Uganda. Many years ago I learnt of the appalling conditions and of the civil war that has taken so many lives needlessly in Uganda. The Hater family should be returned to Wigan where they belong and where we want them. They are part of our community. We feel bemused by the actions of the government and ask them to respect the wishes of our community. BRING THEM BACK.

john, moss side (08/11/2005 at 21:10)

Sorry folks but there are simply too many people fleeing poverty etc in third world countries and claiming to be victims of torture etc. Why should this country foot the bill for everyone who decides to come here for a free ride?
You don't think that they've heard that good 'ol Great Britain is a bloody soft touch, do you??

Bill Burrows, Wigan (10/11/2005 at 09:17)

Tortured in Uganda and tortured in UK, Sarah deserved better. The family should be brought back NOW !!!
Bully Boy McNulty and his nazi thugs at Yarl's Wood should be in jail awaiting trial for child abuse and torture.

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