The Problem

Michael Gebrekidan is from Eritrea. He is a lovely, polite and caring 20-year-old young man who has become very popular in his community since his arrival in Swansea. Michael is a committed Christian and regular church goer. The photo of him was taken during the summer in slightly happier times on a visit to Brecon in August.  Michael was refused asylum in Germany although he has a wife and one-year old child there to whom he is devoted. Since being in Swansea he has maintained close contact with his family and shows photos of them to anyone who takes any interest in him. Michael fled to the UK because his asylum appeal was refused in Germany and he feared he would be deported back to Eritrea where there is a significant threat to his life.

Prolonged periods of conflict and severe drought have adversely affected Eritrea's agricultural economy and it remains one of the poorest countries in Africa. It has no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets, and no independent judiciary. The government restricts religious freedoms, banning all but four groups including several Christian groups.  About 12 percent of Eritrea’s population has fled the country. In June 2019, the United Nations special rapporteur on Eritrea reported to the Human Rights Council that there can be “no sustainable solution to the refugee outflows until the government complies with its human rights obligations.”  

The UK does not deport people to Eritrea because of the unstable situation with prolonged periods of conflict, severe drought and political repression. Unfortunately, some jurisdiction in Germany do still deport to Eritrea despite the recognised dangers. A 2018 report to the Home Office stated that ‘It is difficult to retrieve reliable and verifiable information about what has actually happened and how Eritrea has reacted when asylum seekers are sent back or return home to Eritrea.’’ Deporting Michael back to Germany is, in effect, a back-door way of sending back to Eritrea and into danger.

Michael was detained when reporting to the immigration office in Swansea on Monday 7th October and is now in Colnbrook House Detention Centre in London near Heathrow. He has been told he will be deported to Germany on 17th October. His big worry is that he will then immediately be sent back to Eritrea and certain death.  Please sign this petition to call on Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, to show this man mercy, let him stay in the UK and be reunited with his family.