Catalogue Number
NMLH.2019.115
Object Name
Banner
Title
Mahoro Must Stay
Place
Manchester; Rwanda
People
Adela Mahoro Mugabo
Events
Rwandan Genocide; Hostile Environment Policy
Date
2007
Description
Mahoro Must Stay banner, 2007
Mahoro Mugabo arrived in the United Kingdom in 2002 seeking asylum from Rwanda. Her husband had been murdered by a Hutu militia in 2002 when giving evidence about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Following his death, Mahoro was imprisoned and raped by her captors, from whom she believes she contracted HIV.
Her initial asylum claim was denied by immigration officials and the Home Office, who rejected her claims that she faced a death sentence for complicity in her husbands murder by Rwandan Military Intelligence. She later claimed asylum based on the fact that she would not have access to the lifesaving HIV medication if she were removed to Rwanda; this was also initially denied, and Mahoro was held at deportation facilities twice, both for a month at a time.
The 'Mahoro Must Stay' campaign was established to to colelct signatures to supprot Mahoro's claim to asylum, and the group soon had the support of John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington at the time. He spoke on Mahoro's behalf in Parliament and submitted a petition to the Home Office regarding her claim. She was given leave to remain in the UK in 2010.
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