The general secretary (GS) has sent a letter to a Patagonia group in Wales, that was set up to support the rights of two Patagonian students who were refused entry to Wales by the UK Border Agency earlier this year.

The two students, Evelyn Calcabrini and Shirley Edwards - who are of Welsh decent -wanted to come to Wales to further their studies of the Welsh language. However, both students were refused entry and sent back home to Patagonia (Argentina) with little explanation. The group was set up to support Evelyn Calcabrini in particular, who is taking her case to the court of appeal. The group are encouraging people from Wales to write to them to show the UK authorities that her visit is approved of by Welsh people and that Welsh links with the Welsh speaking province of Patagonia should be strengthened and encouraged.

The GS, who was born and brought up in Wales and still has much of his family living there said:

"Recently I discussed Ms Calcabrini case with some family members, who expressed concern about the way they have seen the UK Border Agency occasionally treating passengers at airports. They were disgusted by the way Ms Calcabrini was treated and thought that there should be some sort of `memorandum of understanding' set up between Wales and Patagonia so that people could travel more freely."

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Jonathan Edwards "Cilgwyn", 17, Parc y Ffynnon, Caerfyrddin SA31 1DS Cymru jgme [at] ...

Dear Jonathan Edwards

Support for Evelyn Calcabrini

As the General Secretary of the Celtic League, I would like to show my full support for the case of Evelyn Calcabrini, who I feel was treated abysmally by the UK Boarder Agency.

We briefly discussed the cases of Evelyn Calcabrini and Shirley Edwards at our annual general meeting in Cornwall July 2009 and there was widespread condemnation from delegates over the way both girls had been treated. A branch of the Celtic League has recently been set up in Patagonia and I will aim to work closely with my colleagues from the League in an attempt to prevent the injustice experienced by Evelyn Calcabrini and Shirley Edwards from happening again.

Our members are aware that Wales has a close affinity with the people of Patagonia and that there are numerous cultural, linguistic and historical links that span many years. The UK Boarder Agency should of course have also known that fact and made an attempt to help to promote that understanding and the special Welsh/Patagonian relationship.

I am indeed Welsh and all of my family continues to live there. Recently I discussed Ms Calcabrini case with some family members, who expressed concern about the way they have seen the UK Border Agency occasionally treating passengers at airports. They were disgusted by the way Ms Calcabrini was treated and thought that there should be some sort of `memorandum of understanding' set up between Wales and Patagonia so that people could travel more freely.

I wish you good luck in your campaign and will endeavour to do all I can with the Celtic League to help further it.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League

Related link on Celtic News at:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

08/10/09

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