Plaid MEP Jill Evans has intervened in the case of a Nigerian born woman from Cardiff who faces deportation. Ms Evans is writing to Home Secretary Jackie Smith asking for the deportation to be stopped on compassionate grounds given that Kemi Ayinde is a victim of people trafficking and is heavily pregnant.

Ms Evans is supporting the No Borders Wales campaign to halt the deportation and allow the family to return to Cardiff.

The Plaid MEP says that deporting victims of people trafficking could discourage other victims from coming forward, meaning they remain trapped in an abusive situation. Ms Ayinde was trafficked to Britain and forced into prostitution. She escaped in 2004 and has been living in Cardiff.

Ms Evans has called for a specialist centre to be set up in Wales to help victims of people trafficking and wants the UK Government to deal compassionately with victims.

The Plaid Cymru MEP said:

"Victims of people trafficking are in a terrible situation, they are often women and are often forced into prostitution. These people deserve our help, not to live in fear of deportation if they come forward.

"The case of Kemi Ayinde is a good example of this. I am writing to the Home Secretary asking for the deportation to be halted on compassionate grounds. We need to send a clear signal to victims of people trafficking that help will be made available for them to live independently of their captors.

"Ms Smith should remember that in 2007 the UK signed up to the European Convention Against Trafficking under which they have an obligation to help victims. Ms Smith needs to send a signal to people who've been trafficked and forced into prostitution that they needn't fear deportation, and she would do that by halting the deportation of Kemi Ayinde.

"I fully support the campaign of No Borders Wales to allow Ms Ayinde and her family to return to Cardiff."

Ends

Notes:

Text of the letter to the Home Secretary:

Dear Ms Smith

I am writing to you concerning the case of a constituent of mine Ms Kemi Ayinde from Cardiff who is threatened with deportation. I would urge you most strongly to intervene and halt this deportation on compassionate grounds.

Ms Ayinde is a victim of people trafficking who was forced into prostitution. She escaped and has been living in Cardiff with her partner and young daughter and is heavily pregnant. She fears for her life if returned to Nigeria.

I have long campaigned against people trafficking and for more specialist help and support for victims. These people are often women who are forced into prostitution. They are in a terrible situation which will be made worse by the fear of deportation if they manage to escape from their captors.

You will be aware that the UK is a signatory to the European Convention Against Trafficking and I urge you to do all you can to help victims. By acting compassionately in this case you will send a signal to other victims that they do not need to live in constant fear of deportation.

I look forward to your urgent consideration of this matter.

Yours faithfully

Jill Evans MEP

(Plaid Cymru - Wales)