This is the page for RAPAR's KEEP KOUAME SAFE IN THE UK campaign – while Kouame was not forcibly removed on Fri. the 3rd of February, the Home Office is undertaking a review of further evidence that could still place Kouame in danger.
We will add any updates to Kouame's campaign here and tweet, etc.
Resounding support for Kouame's case
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Though Kouame was not forcibly removed on Friday 3rd Feb., we are all still working hard on the campaign to keep him safe in the UK. We will keep you posted here on developments in the campaign and we will let you know about any upcoming actions, if they are needed.
The support for Kouame has been overwhelming - Royal Maroc Airline and the British Airline Pilots Association, the Greater Manchester Mayor and Salford City Mayor, the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick MP, and local MPs received 1000s of letters, emails and tweets over the week, and we have a case file full of letters of support for Kouame from people who know him and who work with him in organisations across Greater Manchester. These actions were central to our Keep Kouame Safe campaign. The campaign has also received media attention. Here are three items that we would like to share: The response from the Greater Manchester Mayor's (Andy Burnham) Office: Good morning, Thank you for writing to the Greater Manchester Mayor regarding the removal of Kouame K from the UK to the Ivory Coast, following the refusal of his asylum appeal. As the Mayor has received a high volume of emails on Kouame's case, it is clear that he is a cherished friend to many in Salford and he has gone to great lengths to contribute to his community. As the removal directions have been set for Friday the 3rd of February, the Mayor and Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor have urgently written to the Minister for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP to ask that Kouame's case is reviewed, and a hold is placed on the efforts to remove him so that he is provided the opportunity to compile the evidence needed to progress his asylum claim and prove the threats to his life he faces in the Ivory Coast. Thank you for taking the time to write to the Mayor in support of Kouame K. Best wishes, Office of the Mayor of Greater Manchester The first piece on Kouame's case on the MEN, when the campaign had gathered pace all around Manchester and beyond. On Wed. 1st Feb. Man who fled to Greater Manchester after death threats faces 'forced removal' from UK: A former political activist who fled civil war in Ivory Coast is facing 'forced removal' from the UK on a flight, a Manchester-based human rights charity has claimed. Kouame, whose surname and age are not being revealed, fled to the UK in 2014 because of 'explicit risks to his life' and sought refuge in Greater Manchester. The charity - Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research (RAPAR) - said he contacted several charities and joined a number of active groups. "Kouame is cherished by many people in Greater Manchester as the letters and messages of support we have received have shown," said a spokesperson for the charity, which was founded in Salford. "Kouame belongs here." The charity said he was made homeless but found accommodation in Salford under Greater Manchester's 'A Bed Every Night' homelessness scheme. (And rest of piece.) |
Kouame was not forcibly removed on Fri. the 3rd of Feb. pending a review of further evidence. Please hold off all action for now, and we will keep you updated. Thank you for everyone's hard work and support. It has meant so much to Kouame, and everyone at RAPAR.
As the Mayor has received a high volume of emails on Kouame's case, it is clear that he is a cherished friend to many in Salford and he has gone to great lengths to contribute to his community. In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, the charity said: "RAPAR is very grateful for all the support Kouame has received from community groups in Manchester - and organisations elsewhere - to ensure we found excellent last-minute legal representation that led to today's flight being cancelled. 
A protest at the Dungavel Immigration Detention Centre (Image: Daily Record)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Campaigners demonstrate outside a detention centre (Image: Craig Connor/ ChronicleLive)
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And the second piece on MEN, on Friday after Kouame's removal instructions were removed.
On Fri. 3rd Feb.: Last-minute legal challenge halts 'forced removal' of former political activist who sought refuge in Greater Manchester:
A campaigning charity has revealed a former political activist from Ivory Coast - who they said was due to be 'forcibly removed' from the UK on a flight out of Heathrow Airport today - remains in the country after lawyers stepped in on his behalf at the eleventh hour.
The man, named Kouame, is said to have fled civil war in the African country in 2014 because of 'explicit risks to his life' and sought refuge in Greater Manchester, revealed the Manchester Evening News. His surname and age haven't been revealed.
The Manchester-based charity - Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research (RAPAR) - said he was made homeless but found accommodation in Salford under Greater Manchester's 'A Bed Every Night' homelessness scheme and has now joined groups within the charity. Kouame's initial claim for asylum was turned down before an appeal against the decision rejected by a judge.
RAPAR, however, said it would now be far easier for him to recover evidence to back his claim from Ivory Coast as the political situation in the African country has settled recently. Despite that, and the charity's fears he would be in danger if he returned, he was sent to an immigration removal centre ahead of the planned flight on Friday evening.
The charity, however, has now confirmed his place on the flight was withdrawn 'pending consideration of further evidence'. Last-minute legal representation is said to have been found.
In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, the charity said: "RAPAR is very grateful for all the support Kouame has received from community groups in Manchester - and organisations elsewhere - to ensure we found excellent last-minute legal representation that led to today's flight being cancelled. (And rest.)
On Fri. 3rd Feb.: Last-minute legal challenge halts 'forced removal' of former political activist who sought refuge in Greater Manchester:
A campaigning charity has revealed a former political activist from Ivory Coast - who they said was due to be 'forcibly removed' from the UK on a flight out of Heathrow Airport today - remains in the country after lawyers stepped in on his behalf at the eleventh hour.
The man, named Kouame, is said to have fled civil war in the African country in 2014 because of 'explicit risks to his life' and sought refuge in Greater Manchester, revealed the Manchester Evening News. His surname and age haven't been revealed.
The Manchester-based charity - Refugee and Asylum Participatory Action Research (RAPAR) - said he was made homeless but found accommodation in Salford under Greater Manchester's 'A Bed Every Night' homelessness scheme and has now joined groups within the charity. Kouame's initial claim for asylum was turned down before an appeal against the decision rejected by a judge.
RAPAR, however, said it would now be far easier for him to recover evidence to back his claim from Ivory Coast as the political situation in the African country has settled recently. Despite that, and the charity's fears he would be in danger if he returned, he was sent to an immigration removal centre ahead of the planned flight on Friday evening.
The charity, however, has now confirmed his place on the flight was withdrawn 'pending consideration of further evidence'. Last-minute legal representation is said to have been found.
In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, the charity said: "RAPAR is very grateful for all the support Kouame has received from community groups in Manchester - and organisations elsewhere - to ensure we found excellent last-minute legal representation that led to today's flight being cancelled. (And rest.)