The letter below was passed to me by someone who knows the family involved, and was present when the family was taken from their home. What follows is not unusual in our chaotic, punitive asylum system:
"Dear Friend
At 7am on Wednesday 1st July neighbours in a Moss Side street watched in horror as 1 year old Angela, 3year old twins Bishoy and Anastasia, 7 year old Karin, 10 year old Nardin and their parents Mum, Samah and Dad, Hany Mansour were forcibly removed from their home by a large group of police and immigration officials.
Five years earlier, the family led a prosperous and successful life in Luxor, Egypt. After months of harassment and serious threats to the family, Mr Mansour sought help from the police. Shortly after this he was arrested on false accusations of insulting Islam. He was detained in solitary confinement for seventeen days and tortured.
Having fled Luxor leaving all his possessions behind, he was then helped by the Bishop of the Christian Church he attended who gave him refuge and arranged and paid for his flight out of Egypt. After a short period in Dover, they came to Manchester where they have settled. The children have thrived at school and the family have formed good relationships in school, at church and the wider community.
How then, have we arrived at a situation where the family is in detention awaiting deportation?
After having twice been let down by law firms who despite being paid up front failed to represent the family at vital hearings, their status was downgraded from asylum seeker to illegal immigrant. This has put them in line for immediate deportation. The family fear for their lives if deported and Mr Mansour would almost certainly be arrested and tortured on his return.
What can you do to help?
If you can help in any other way please contact us at: mansourfamilyappeal@hotmail.com"
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