By IRNA,
London : Amnesty International has criticised the British government for continuing to forcefully deport failed Iraqi asylum seekers in defiance of an effective freeze called by the European Court of Human Rights.
“The UK should listen to the European Court of Human Rights and, like the Dutch authorities, suspend removals to Baghdad until it’s safe,” said Amnesty’s UK refugee program director Jan Shaw.
“The authorities are, of course, entitled to remove people if they don’t need international protection and it’s safe to return them. But Iraq is still incredibly dangerous,” Shaw said.
Last month, the Strasbourg-based court wrote to inform the UK government that it would apply ‘Rule 39’ to any Iraqi challenging their deportation, effectively ruling that appellants will automatically be allowed to remain in the UK, at least temporarily.
Shaw accused the UK government of being devious in continuing deportations when knowing fully well that anyone applying to the European Court under ‘Rule 39’ will have their removal suspended.
“Effectively they are just trying to catch out anyone who doesn’t know about this ruling, or who doesn’t have decent legal representation. Sadly this still includes far too many people,” she said.
Amnesty said it remained “opposed to all forcible removals to central and southern Iraq until the security situation improves considerably.”
Britain’s policy also conflicts with UNHCR guidelines for Iraq ask governments not to forcibly return people originating from the governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al-din, in view of the “serious human rights violations and continuing security incidents in these areas.”