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VOICE from Ciselle Fung on Vimeo.
Tacko is a gay activist and civil rights leader from Senegal, a nation where openly gay people are politically persecuted, imprisoned and murdered for being gay. Tacko is a political activist in Movement for Justice, fighting for all immigrant rights, respect and equality. Tacko has been held in excruciating limbo by the UKBA, not granted asylum thus far, despite waiting over a year for a decision.
Tacko gave this interview, and Ciselle Fung made this animation from it, to give voice to the truth, the experience of Tacko stands for many thousands. To all those fighting for thir freedom, to live and love as who they, we in MFJ say your fight is our fight; and your victory is our victory.
Britain has joined calls for nations to end the criminalisation and persecution of homosexuality, but at the same time is witholding sanctuary from people facing that very danger. Join MFJ in sending the clear message now – granting asylum to Tacko, and other activists and leaders for equality – Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia – is an easy, direct and meaningful way for the British government to show that its pious words will be backed by action.
Sign the petition and join Tacko, Asuman, and Proscovia in our fight for asylum and freedom now. - Justice delayed is justice denied - End the degrading treatment of Refugees – Grant asylum to Tacko, Asuman, Andrew and Proscovia
Transcript of MFJBAMN member Serigne Tacko Mbengue on the VOICE [with editing].
My name is Seringe Tacko Mbengue. [I] Came [to Britain] from Senegal. [Senegal is] a Muslim country. If the police find out [your are Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender] they will arrest you. I have [an] auntie who I used to stay with [in Senegal]. She just kicked me out when she found out [i am gay]. I left many countries to come here, the point [is] we [come] here seeking freedom, we are not criminals. I’m a gay man.
Detention Centre, people know it as ["]Removal Centre["], which means they arrest you illegally; without having the rights to stay in the country, and hold you there, the reason why they hold you there [is] because they don’t want you to run away.
People like me [have] been inside [the removal centre] for two years without [being told why]. [The state officials of the removal center] don’t want to [appear rotten and personally deport you], [so] they [ask] you to voluntarily go back to your own country [or be compelled], and many people, people like me cannot go back to the country, where persecution, torture [and even death is certain].
[The Removal Centre ] is worse than prison, not like a prison. Torture people mentally. Physically. It’s very hard for me to put it into words, because, I just – I can’t. They take your freedom away, they take your rights away, I start to feel like I’m no longer [a] human being. Someone is sick asking for medicine, or just call [the] doctor, because he’s [an] old man, and his condition [is] serious. Each of us [go] to the police officer and saying, “this guy is sick, come and see.” And the lady in the office saying, “I’m not a doctor, so only thing I can do is call.” And she didn’t do so. We tried to help, give him water, tried to relax him. The guy start sleeping. We all think the guy is sleeping. We went back to our rooms. The next day we heard the guy is [dead].
Stand up for my rights. And for all the gay, and lesbian, and transgender. Stand up for all.
-[this transcript was written by Joseph, an MFJBAMN member, the transcript has not be seen by MFJBAMN as an organization aka this transcript reflects my own attempts and feelings]