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Sheffield asylum seeker fears death if deported
A BURMESE woman living in Sheffield who faces deportation to her homeland fears she could be killed for participating in pro-democracy protests against the country's military regime.
Aye Thandar Wai - known as Poppy - of Washington Road, Sharrow, came to Britain to study tourism at college in London last year.
The 25-year-old claims her face was spotted by officials from the South Asian country when she became involved in demonstrations outside the Burmese Embassy, in support of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.
Poppy claims they tracked down her family back home, arrested her father and friends and quizzed them about her whereabouts.
Poppy says she was warned it wasn't safe for her to return to Burma, and applied for asylum last September.
But her bid was rejected and her student visa, which was not due to expire until 2011, was revoked.
Poppy appealed and was moved to Sheffield by immigration officials as part of their policy of dispersing asylum seekers around the country.
The appeal and two subsequent challenges were all rejected and Poppy has now been told she will be deported.
Poppy said: "If I am sent home, I would definitely be sent to prison and could be killed. I want to stay."
Adult education tutor Philip Mulliner, who teaches English at the Learn For Life centre, London Road, is backing Poppy.
He said: "I first got to know Poppy when she called in offering to help in the classes because she has an MA in English, which she obtained in Burma.
"She is worried sick, literally, about the prospect of going home but officials who have dealt with her asylum case do not believe her story."
Philip has appealed for help from politicians including former Lord Mayor Coun Roger Davison, a supporter of the Burmese community living in Sheffield.
Coun Davison said: "It's the least we can do to extend her stay."
Poppy's situation was also raised by Philip at a full meeting of Sheffield Council this week.
He told councillors: "Conditions in Burmese prisons are unspeakable, with torture, beatings, even murder."
Sheffield Council's Lib Dem Leader Coun Paul Scriven said: "I have been made aware of this case through Roger Davison.
"It's a brutal regime in Burma. We have a duty to protect people whose human rights are being undermined.
"I will meet Poppy and see what the council can do to help."
Jeremy Oppenheim, UK Border Agency Regional Director for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "We only remove individuals that both we and the courts find are not in need of protection."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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