People from Iraq who have lost their claims for asylum in the UK,
and who have been supported under s4 have unexpectedly been detained
when they go to routinely sign at the Police Station. Last week saw
the first unannounced detentions of people living in Nottingham. The
first chartered flight to Baghdad and then on to Erbil takes place
tomorrow (18th August).

>From all the news reports from Iraq it is clear that there is no
guarantee of safety. Reports from the UNHCR are stating that the
decision to begin forced deportations is contrary to their
recommendation that attempts to repatriate at this time are
premature.

The choices for anyone expected to sign at the Police Station are
stark: sign and risk detention with a view to deportation to a
country which is still experiencing exceptionally high levels of
violence (see todays Independent and the daily Mirror), or to not
sign and to attempt to live on borrowed time without any financial
support, or any means to support families.

This is an unexpected and premature development at a time when Iraq
has still not agreed a new Constitution.

Please support the people of Iraq with whom we share Community. Show
support in Market Square this Saturday. There will also be regular
shows of support at Nottingham police Station for anyone signing on
Wednesdays and Thursdays. Supporters are needed to be at the Police
Station to try and establish whether there are any detentions and to
monitor who is detained - hopefully with a view to supporting them
after detention. Volunteers are needed each Wednesday and Thursday
from 9.30 a.m., or alternatively between 12 and 2 to show solidarity.