Campaigning Gambian journalist Alieu Ceesay was granted leave to remain in Britain last week.
Alieu was forced to leave Gambia in 2006 after being tortured by government agents for his work exposing corruption and injustice. He joined the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in 2009.
The union has been central to his campaign against deportation.
Although asylum seekers are not allowed to work, the union offers membership to media workers in this position. It is encouraging other unions to do the same.
After the result, Alieu told Socialist Worker, “With humility I would like to say thank you to my NUJ union, other campaign organisations, Amnesty International, my lawyer Jamie Kerr, and MPs.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. Your support won’t be forgotten.”
He is the second journalist to be allowed to remain after a campaign involving the NUJ.
Cameroonian journalist Charles Atangana was granted leave to remain in April. He has since been granted full refugee status.
In January this year Alieu was threatened by the Gambian justice minister Edward Gomez for prosecution should he step foot in the country.
Alieu, with help from Labour MP for Glasgow Central Anas Sarwar, has held meetings with officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss human rights and campaigning work in Gambia.
lFor more information go to www.gambiacampaign.org
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