UK: patagonia Links Petition
A petition calling for the prime minister, Gordon Brown, to help preseve Welsh links with Patagonia by making it easier for Patagonians to travel freely to Wales has reached over one thousand sdignatures.
In June 2009 an online petition was created to Mr Prown's `Number 10' website following the refusal to admit entry to the UK of a young Patagonian Welsh/English language student who had travelled from her home in Patagonia, Argentina to the UK on the invite of a family from Wales to continue her studies for six months. 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 and sent home after being interviewed for several hours.
Plaid Cymru MP Elfyn Llwyd, told the BBC that he was "shocked and embarrassed" by the actions of the UK Border Agency, after he was contacted to act on Ms Calcabrini's behalf. Mr Llwyd said:
"I think its disgusting the way she was treated and there was no reason whatever for that to have happened to that young woman."
Another Plaid MP Hywel Williams said:
"I spent four hours on the phone trying to sort this out, trying to get hold of someone at the Home Office, and drew a blank." Mr Williams added that the UK Boarder Agency had revivewed the decision internally, but have refused to change their permission.
A branch of the Celtic League has recently formed in Patagonia.
Link to petition:
Link to video showing Mr Llwyd MP talking about the issue:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
26/08/09
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