The HeraldCAMPAIGNERS called last night for a Ugandan hunger striker to be released from Dungavel detention centre after the news that another had been released south of the border. The Scottish Socialist Party said that 28-year-old Charity Mutewba should be set free immediately or "another innocent person would die needlessly in custody in Scotland". Mrs Mutewba, who has not eaten for 26 days, was transferred last week from England. She says she is prepared to starve to death rather than be deported to Uganda. She came to the UK in September 2003 seeking political asylum, claiming she had been tortured and raped for being a member of an opposition political party. She went on hunger strike last month with nine other African women at Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre in Bedford in protest at the conditions and their deportations. Harriet Anyangokolo, a spokeswoman for the group who had not eaten for 29 days, was released yesterday. Rosie Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "Charity requires both medical and psychological help as she is a rape victim. She should never have been forced to sit in a van for 12 hours when being transferred. Once again it just shows the utter disdain the Home Office has for human life." Mrs Mutewba said she would continue without food for as long as it takes until the government reviews her case.
