Justice for Rima Andmariam

Rima is a vulnerable 17-year-old from Eritrea, living in Glasgow. Abandoned by social services, and previously locked up in an adult detention centre, she is now supported by  two loving adoptive parents and a caring community, but facing removal from the UK.

At 15 years of age, Rima managed to reach Europe, fleeing her family’s persecution as Pentecostal Christians. Sadly, she found no sanctuary in the notorious Italian asylum system. All alone, she suffered considerable trauma, subsisting in a large derelict squat.

When Rima escaped to the UK she was initially supported as a lone child. However, unable to prove her birth date, the social services gave her an adult age, meaning she now faced removal back to Italy. Terrified, Rima went into hiding, eventually turning up homeless and destitute in Glasgow a year later.

Campaign Update, 17 February 2010

We urgently need help again to try and stop Rima being deported to Italy… A recent ruling in the Court of Appeal has found Italy to be a ‘safe country’ and dependent cases are seen as being relsoved. Whilst there are many other issues in Rima’s case which we are working on with her lawyer, her situation is now very precarious indeed and we need a substantial letter campaign for clemency and for her right to remain in the UK. We understand that Removal Directions may be issued in the next 2 weeks if our legal route is not successful so we wish now to make a focused and substantial effort in sending in letters of support.

Please see Rima’s campaign webpage for details of how you can help

With love, hope and gratitude,

Alison, Robert and Rima

Justice for Rima Campaign