Iraqis forcibly removed on overnight flights

Owen Bowcott The Guardian Monday November 21, 2005
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1647113,00.html

The first failed Iraqi asylum seekers were forcibly removed from Britain yesterday and flown out on a military transport plane. Fifteen men, all from the northern Kurdish region, were put on board an aircraft in the early hours. Another 5,000 Iraqi asylum seekers are thought to be awaiting decisions on whether they will also be sent back.

One of those expelled yesterday, Hawar Ismail, told a UK-based refugee group he had been "beaten" after resisting removal. All those being expelled were subsequently handcuffed, he said.

During the one stop-over, believed to be at a UK military base in Cyprus, the men were changed into army-issue uniforms. Their clothes were given back on arrival in Iraq.

The deportees landed yesterday afternoon at the newly opened Irbil airport in northern Iraq and were given $100 (£58) each. They were reassured that they were in a "safe environment" and would be provided with transport to their home towns.

The decision to begin the long-threatened programme under cover of darkness reflects its political sensitivity. Previous attempts have been abandoned in the face of last-minute legal action and objections from the UN high commissioner for refugees.

"We can confirm that 15 Iraqi nationals with no leave to remain in the UK were removed," the Home Office said in a statement. "The government announced its intention to commence enforced returns in February 2004 and these removals bring Iraq into line with arrangements we have with other countries. All those removed were informed in advance and have been given assistance to help re-establish themselves in Iraq. It is important for the integrity of our asylum system that any individual found not to be in need of international protection should be expected to leave the UK.

"Enforced returns are on a case by case basis and only to areas assessed as sufficiently stable and where we are satisfied the individuals will not be at risk."

More than 1,000 Iraqis "have returned home voluntarily to help rebuild their country", the Home Office added. It declined to identify the airport from which the deportations took place.

The only areas deemed stable at present are the three northern Kurdish governorates. The chief executive of the Refugee Council, Maeve Sherlock, said: "Irbil and the northern governorates are slightly safer than the rest of the country, but the situation is very volatile. There are still kidnappings, still terrorist activity. We should not send people back until we know it is safe, and we cannot say we do."

Dashty Jamal, of the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees, said he had spoken to Mr Ismail by telephone after his arrival. "Hawar is scared," he said. "In Irbil, [he was] seen by a GP and checked in by the KDP, the party that has control in that area. This is not his city. His city is Mosul. He is not safe in Mosul, he is not safe in Irbil. What is he expected to do?"

The Home Office disputed the use of handcuffs and promised to investigate any allegations of mistreatment. It is not planning any immediate follow-up flights.