By Andy Braunston
Ugandan Lesbian Prossy Kakooza today won the latest fight in her battle for asylum in the UK.
A senior immigration judge dismissed a previous Immigration Tribunal ruling, denying Prossy asylum, calling the judgement “a mess”.
Prossy fled Uganda after being tortured and raped by police officers.
Her family had discovered Prossy and her partner in bed together and had marched them, naked, to the police station where they were detained. Prossy was subjected to horrific sexual attacks and physical torture. She escaped to the UK after her family bribed the guards to release her – as they wanted to deal with their family shame by having Prossy killed.
The Home Office denied her asylum but the original judge believed Prossy’s claim to have been raped and tortured but felt it would be safe to return her to a different part of Uganda.
This ignored the facts, and case law, which suggests that someone who has been so mistreated by the state is likely to suffer similar mistreatment in the future.
Today’s ruling allows Prossy to present her claim afresh to an asylum tribunal. This hearing is likely to take place in the autumn where Prossy’s claim will be looked at, the possibility of “internal relocation” in Uganda examined and her identity as an out and proud lesbian in the UK considered.
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August 2, 2008 at 2:16 pm
This wonderful country of ours will never fail to amaze me! What part of Prozzy’s story did the original idiot judge sleep through? No doubt he has never suffered discrimination, threats, brutality and rape? Well I should hope not, living in what most folk think of as a ’safe’ country, a country where is is reasonably 0.K? to be yourself at least! I pray that somebody ‘up there’ will send the blessing of imagination, understanding andcompassion to those who sit in judgement and allow this young woman to stay and live out her life free from such horrors. Blessings Kerris
October 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Prossy was granted asylum in the UK on Friday 17th October, 15 long months and 3 court cases after first applying. She is now able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom on the same basis as any UK National for the next 5 years. After this, she will be allowed to apply for permanent residence and then citizenship.
Prossy has been amazed at the level of support from people including:
- 5200 people from countries, and church congregations, from all over the world who have signed her petition to the Home Office asking that she be allowed to stay.
- 100s of people who have written or emailed the Immigration Minister.
- The 80 members and friends of MCC Manchester who have supported her with their love, prayers, money and concern.
- The 19 friends who went to court with her and helped her collect signatures on her petition at Pride festivals all over the country.
- The 10 friends who gave evidence in court on her behalf.
- The 3 amazing lawyers who drafted and prepared her cases (Ruth Heatley from the Immigration Aid Unit and barristers Mark Schwenk and Mel Plimmer)
But most of all the one person who has seen through this ordeal with quiet dignity, humour even in the darkest moments, and faith that all would be well – Prossy herself.
Full details are on Prossy’s campaign page at http://www.mccmanchester.co.uk/prossy.htm