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Ay Family: Scottish human rights lawyer picks up the Gauntlet

fwd of NCADC release | 01.08.2003 15:09 | Anti-racism | Migration | Repression

Aamer Anwar, recognised as one of Scotland's premier human rights lawyers, as well as a keen activist for asylum rights, after he was contacted by Beirwan Ay, the eldest child, has lodged an asylum application on behalf of the four children.

Beriwan, Newroz, Dilowan and Medya Ay, have now applied for asylum in their own names, following the refusal of the House of Lords to grant an appeal to their mother Mrs Yurdurgal Ay.

As this press release goes out the whereabouts of the Ay Family are not known, only that they were removed from Dungavel Removal Centre this morning. A Home Office spokesperson when asked to confirm, that according to Dungavel staff they were being moved to Oakington Reception Centre, refused to comment.

Removal directions for the Ay Family have been set for Tuesday 5th August 2003 on a 'Channel Express' charter flight to
Frankfurt in Germany.

Enquiries to 'Channel Express' on the cost of charter flights, NCADC were informed that the smallest airplane they hire is a 124 seater Boeing 737-300 and the cost of a flight to Frankfurt would be 11,500 pounds.

Scottish clergy and Members of the Scottish Parliament have been calling for the family to be allowed to stay in Britain.

The Ay Family Campaign welcomes this move, and urges all friends and well-wishers of the Ays to support the call for them to

be allowed to stay, to urgently redouble their efforts to gain support for the family, and to show the Home Office the level of support that there is for this Kurdish family to be allowed to live safely in Britain without fear of removal to Germany and then Turkey, a country where the children have never been, do not speak the language, and where they would be at risk of persecution as Kurds, especially as Kurds with Kurdish names.

Ay Family Campaign
c/o National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
131, Camberwell Road
London SE5 OHF

Inquires/further information:
sarahp107 at hotmail.com
0208-880-1804.

Background:
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/newszine36/365.html

fwd of NCADC release