Following the refusal to allow entry to a student of the Welsh language from Argentina into the UK in May 2009, a petition has been set up on the No. 10 Prime Minister's website calling for the Prime Minister of the UK to help preserve links with Patagonia.

The petition states:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make it absolutely clear to all the staff of the UK Border Agency that the United Kingdom consists of four nations and that the staff of the Agency should not damage Welsh links with Patagonia by refusing entry to people from Patagonia wishing to visit the Land of their Fathers."

On 25th May 2009, Evelyn Calcabrini who lives in Chubut Valley, Patagonia, a Welsh speaking province of Argentina, was refused entry to the UK by the English Border Agency. Ms Calcabrini had made her way to the UK travelling for 35 hours from Patagonia to Buenos Aires to London, before being interviewed for several hours, only to be returned once again to Buenas Aires. Even though Ms Calcabrini had letters from Eos Griffiths and his Patagonia-born wife, Carina, who live in Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire, containing proof of where she was going to live in Wales and the purpose of her visit, the Border Agency refused to believe her.

After the intervention of Plaid Cymru MPs Elfyn Llwyd and Hywel Williams, who were contacted by Ms Calcabrini's friends in Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales in London, Peter Hain and his Minister Wayne David later promised to meet officials of the British Government Home Office to discuss the matter.

The creator of the No. 10 petition, Roy Davies, told the Celtic League that Evelyn Calcabrini's case was not unique and that other Patagonian travellers to Wales have also been turned away by the Border Agency.

The Chubut Valley in Patagonia was settled in 1865 by Welsh speaking people and the language is still spoken there. In recent years the links between Wales and Chubut have been strengthened

On 19th June 2001, following a visit to Patagonia, First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said that it was vital that Wales keeps its close links with Patagonia and continues to support the Welsh community who have proudly held on to their Welsh traditions and culture for 135 years.

Petition:

(voir le site)

(Article compiled for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

22/06/09

• Emmanuel Grégoire et l’abbé Macron  par David Grosclaude le 23/11/2024
• Pays de Redon. La Bogue d’or, rendez-vous du « génie populaire » par Le blog de paul Molac le 05/11/2024
• Catherine Vautrin en Corse : Régions et Peuples Solidaires appelle l’Etat à enfin aboutir sur l'autonomie par RPS le 25/10/2024
• Gouvernement Barnier : des nominations inquiétantes par RPS le 24/09/2024
• Quelle future gouvernance en France ? par Marcel Berrou le 08/07/2024
• Après deux cycles de trois ans du Parlement de Bretagne réveillé, voici venir le troisième cycle ! par KAD le 01/07/2024
• Résolution pour la Réunification de la Bretagne à la XIXème Assemblée Générale de l'UNPO à Munich, les 11 et 12 mai 2024 : par KAD le 07/05/2024
• TER Nouvelle Aquitaine : quelle honte !   par David Grosclaude le 18/04/2024
• Les Braises de la Rencontre, le 5 mai 2024, sur le parc de sculptures mémorial de MAB Koad Sav Pell ! par MAB, Musée Archipel Breton le 16/04/2024
• Koun Breizh s’indigne : Non ! les festoù-noz ne sont pas des lieux réservés aux « attardés » ! par Koun Breizh - Bertaign Tenant - Mémoire-de-Bretagne le 07/01/2024