"I am Beatrice Ketcha Guessie, I am 25 years old. I fled from Cameroon and sought asylum in Britain over 5 years ago. I came here because I was in great danger because of my political activity against the Cameroon Government. I learnt from the Red Cross that my husband was found dead in the street in June 2002. My brother fled to China and I fled here. I have no-one and nothing in Cameroon. I have been detained and taken to Yarls Wood detention centre, despite having a severe psychological disorder.

I was treated at a high security psychiatric hospital because I tried to kill myself but after 5 weeks I was moved back to Yarls Wood Detention Centre. I am absolutely terrified for my future. I CANNOT go back to my country. They will kill me."
Beatrice Ketcha Guessie

Beatrice says that she and her husband had their business burnt-out because of their activities with the Social Democratic Front, an opposition party to the current regime. She says they then suffered serious harm and oppression.

"The government's human rights record remained poor, and it continued to commit numerous human rights abuses. Security forces committed numerous unlawful killings; they regularly engaged in torture, beatings, and other abuses, particularly of detainees and prisoners. Impunity was a problem in the security forces. Prison conditions were harsh and life-threatening. Authorities arbitrarily arrested and detained Anglophone citizens advocating secession, local human rights monitors and activists, and other citizens."
US Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Cameroon 2006

Today the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travel to a number of areas in Cameroon.

Beatrice has continued campaigning against the ruling party of Cameroon with the SDF branch in London. If returned she is likely to be targeted by the government and suffer serious persecution and abuse.

Beatrice came here to seek sanctuary from the harm she suffered. However, not only was her claim for protection refused, Beatrice was also the victim of rape and abuse following her arrival here in the UK which has seriously compounded her mental health problems.

Beatrice has been campaigning in Liverpool about her situation and that of all asylum seekers with the immigrant rights campaigning group "Asylum Voice - voice of the undocumented". She also volunteered at the asylum centre in Liverpool to support and help others.

Beatrice's solicitor has made a fresh claim considering her political activities and her very delicate mental health condition.

What you can do to help !

1.) Please send urgent faxes immediately to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that Beatrice have the right to stay in the UK. Please use the "model fax" BeatriceMinister.doc and/or you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include Beatrice's Home Office Reference Number K1123945.

Fax : 020 7035 3262 (00 44 20 7035 3262 if you are faxing from outside UK)

2.) Please wait till Monday to fax Air France. Please fax Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chief Executive Officer of Air France using the "model fax" BeatriceAirline.doc or you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include Beatrice's removal flight details : Tuesday 28th August at 6:40am from Heathrow Airport on Air France flight AF5864 to Paris and then Air France flight AF946 from Paris to Cameroon.

Fax : 0208 750 9090 (00 44 208 750 9090 if you are faxing from outside UK)

Please let the Beatrice Must Stay Campaign know of any faxes you have sent:
C/o Asylum Voice Liverpool
Asylum Link Merseyside
St Annes Centre
7 Overbury Street Liverpool
L7 3HJ
Fax : 0151 709 1934
Email :  asylumvoice@yahoo.co.uk