Justice for asylum seekers 60 years on

On the 60th anniversary of the signing of the refugee convention, we are writing to express our concerns about the injustices still faced by many people who seek asylum in the UK. As writers, actors and broadcasters, we are particularly concerned about Lydia Besong, who is seeking asylum from Cameroon. Lydia and her husband, Bernard Batey, were members of an opposition political organisation and Lydia was imprisoned and experienced sexual violence in jail. Although she has well grounded fear of further persecution if returned to Cameroon, Lydia has been detained in the UK, and has recently been refused asylum or leave to appeal to the High Court.

As a playwright, Lydia has written about her experiences in her home country and in the UK. Her play, How I Became An Asylum Seeker, has been performed in Manchester, Liverpool and London by Lydia and fellow members of Women Asylum Seekers Together. This moving work shines a powerful light on the fact that many women come to this country fleeing persecution and yet are refused sanctuary here. Wast will be marching tomorrow in Liverpool to highlight the injustices experienced by asylum seekers. In speaking up for Lydia, we are speaking up for the rights to freedom of expression and to asylum. We urge members of the government and the public to join us in supporting Lydia and the rights of all refugees who seek safety today.