Human rights groups condemn the Border Agency
Legal defence group set up for detainees
The UK Border Agency is planning at least two charter flight mass deportations to Sri Lanka on 19 and 20 September.
"The UK government has not explained why it condemns Sri Lanka’s use of torture but rejects evidence before the UK Border Agency that demonstrates the danger of torture to Tamil deportees. It is time for a serious rethink so that what the UK says in its foreign policy is reflected in how it acts in its immigration policy."
David Mepham, Human Rights Watch London director
Legal defence team
A stand-by legal group has been set for detainees facing removal. If detainees do not have solicitors then contact Janani Jananayagam from TAG [Tamils Against Genocide] who can be contacted on 07801 999130. She will direct detainees to solicitors who may be able to provide representation. You can also call Detention Action on 02072263114.
The coordinating clerk for the group at Renaissance Chambers is Mark Venables who can be contacted on 07590452866 OUT OF HOURS and 0207404111 during office hours.
Note to solicitors or referral agencies: Please mail all papers to mvenables@renaissancechambers.co.uk and mark ‘CHARTER FLIGHT SRI LANKA’.
There will be an immigration barrister in chambers on the days of the charter flights to provide advice to solicitors in respect of filing and drafting.
More information on the legal defence group here
Evidence of torture on return
More shocking evidence of torture in Sri Lanka has been published (14 Sept) by Freedom from Torture, highlighting the risk faced by Tamils returning to the country from the UK. The latest research relates to 24 people who were tortured in Sri Lanka after returning voluntarily from the UK since the end of the civil war in May 2009... Read more at Freedom from Torture and see media coverage in the Guardian and the Independent.
Human Rights Watch has also issued a statement condeming the removals, calling for the United Kingdom to immediately suspend deportations to Sri Lanka of ethnic Tamils. “In its haste to be tough on failed asylum seekers, the British government is turning a blind eye to compelling evidence that Tamils deported to Sri Lanka risk torture on arrival,” said David Mepham, London director. HRW re-issued a document it sent on August 1 to the UK immigration minister detailing 13 cases of alleged torture of failed Tamil asylum seekers on return to Sri Lanka. All of these cases are supported by medical documentation.
Bron : Chiara Lauvergnac