Quote Originally Posted by Mrs.JMajor View Post
I cant get the link, seems so many watching it and it say the page you're looking for was maybe old version wahhh sent another link or I try tom to search it for me
Hard for me too but got the text:

Twenty-nine-year old Cheryl Laws is serving her sentence in a United Kingdom jail for a drug-related offense. She has an eight-year old daughter by her former husband, a British citizen.

Laws, like many Filipinos left the Philippines for a chance at a better life. At 18, her mother took her to Malta to work where she met her British husband. They got married in 2001 but in 2004 they split up.

Depressed and alone, she found comfort in another relationship which led to her nightmare. She got embroiled in an abusive relationship where she lost control of herself. She began drinking heavily and she was also led into the world drugs.

Laws was sentenced to five years imprisonment for a drug-related offense. Her ex-partner was given 14 years. In jail, Laws has become a model prisoner. She studied in jail and busied herself in fitness activities. She looks forward to a new life outside UK prisons as a fitness instructor and she intends to make up for the lost time with her daughter.

Recently, she has been able to leave prison for five days and spend time with her daughter. She also has a new partner now, an old friend who stood by her during the difficulties times.

Laws is going to be released in November but she will also be deported back to the Philippines. This news came in June 2008 when the Home Office notified her that she will be deported after her prison sentence.

Laws’ new partner, Daniel Brooks talked to ABS CBN Europe News Bureau to tell her story so that people learn from her mistakes and likewise, to seek support.

“Cheryl was never recommended for deportation when she was sentenced two years ago. But the Home Office has now decided to deport her even if she has a child which holds a full British passport,” said Brooks.

Laws solicitor has already made an appeal and argues that her deportation would be in breach of the Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights.

Violation of EU law and human rights
The Article 8 of the Court of Human Rights stipulates the right to respect for private and family life: ‘1 Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his homeland his correspondence; 2 There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.’

Brooks explained that Laws has been ‘deemed low risk of re-offending and poses no risk to national security, no risk to public safety.’ He said she is also no threat to the economic well-being of the country because she has always worked in the UK and has never claimed benefits.

With new skills and knowledge acquired inside the jail, she also intends to work when released. He added that she poses no risk to ‘health or morals and she is no risk to the protection and rights of others.’ He maintains that the fundamental right of Laws to remain in the UK where she has a daughter who is a minor that needs her support and love will be violated once deported.

“It is a fundamental principle of UK law that a person cannot be punished twice for the same offence. If you have committed an offence that society deems a crime and sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a magistrate, judge or judge and jury, once you have completed your sentence, you are released from prison as it is deemed you have repaid your debt to society and that is the end of the matter - and for the great majority of people in the UK, it is: you can only get punished once,” explained Brooks in his online appeal.

An appeal for support
Cheryl Law’s ex-husband, Duncan Laws who has custody of their daughter sent a letter to ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

“As a father of Jasmine I would have to see her long term future punished. She is focused on the fact that Cheryl will be released from prison at the end of this year. If Cheryl were to be deported I do not know how I would then have to tell Jasmine that she might not see her mum for a few years,” the letter state.

Their marriage did not work out as planned but Laws remains active in raising her daughter and she intends to continue it.

“Yes, I know Cheryl has done wrong and she is serving her sentence for this but on her release, she needs to be here for Jasmine not 7,000 miles away in the Philippines,” said Duncan Laws.

“We have a number of petitions, we have also contacted MPs, child psychologists, anyone that will care that a child will suffer a devastating loss of a mother,” said Brooks who has been helping Laws get the guidance and help for her case.

He explained that since Cheryl Laws is still serving her sentence, she cannot talk to the media but would also like to make an appeal for help from Filipinos by spreading the word and joining her plight.

“What is at stake is a risk of a child, an 8-year old child losing her mother. I know the mother did wrong and she has already been punished for that and the child does not need to be punished further. I’d like you to visit the http://www.help-stop-the-deportation...ws.com,” added Brooks.

Brooks has launched an online petition to stop Laws deportation. He appeals to everyone, particularly Filipinos in the UK to help stop the deportation of Cheryl Laws by joining the online petition.

Almost two months ago when the campaign was launched, the petition had some 2, 000 signatures. Brooks is hoping to gather more support from Laws’ fellow countrymen who would understand her plight.

as of 07/26/2009 2:36 PM