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Nottingham Uni Detainee Innocent But Still Facing Deportation

Notts IMC | 23.05.2008 21:10 | Migration | Repression | Terror War

Hicham Yezza, one of the two men who were arrested at Nottingham University under the Terrorism Act 2000 on Wednesday 14th May is facing imminent deportation. Both men were released without charge after having been detained for 7 days. But Hicham, a 30-year old member of university staff and non-British national was immediately re-arrested under immigration legislation.

This is clearly a politically motivated action to try and kill the story of the original arrests to cover up the initial embarrassment. This is an attempt to circumvent the criminal justice system and push him out of the country without the usual court process. He has now been moved to a detention centre and faces deportation on Sunday 1st June. Hicham is well-known, widely liked and active on campus. Students, lecturers and the wider community have started mobilising to stop his deportation. See report and pics of the demonstration for academic freedom and against Hicham Yezza's deportation that took place in Nottingham University on the 28th May.

Audio: as featured in #5 the June Show ~ Riseup! Radio

Newswire: Comment on University Communication on Recent Events | University of Nottingham Graduate and Employee Facing Imminent Deportation Without Hearing | Notts Uni detainee innocent but still facing deportation

Feature: Anger Over "Terror Arrests" at Nottingham University

Website: Stop the Deportation of Hicham Yezza



Hicham Yezza, a popular, respected and valued former PhD student and current employee of the University of Nottingham faces deportation to Algeria on Sunday 1st June. This follows his unjust arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000 on Wednesday 14th May alongside Rizwaan Sabir and their release without charge six days later.

It has subsequently become clear that these arrests, which the police had claimed related to so-called “radical materials” involved an Al Qaeda manual downloaded by Sabir as part of his research into political Islam and emailed to Yezza for printing because Sabir couldn’t afford to get it printed himself.

There has been a vocal response from lecturers and students. A petition is being circulated, letters have been sent by academics across the world and a demo is being planned for Wednesday. 28th May. This has clearly been deeply embarrassing to a government currently advocating an expansion of anti-terror powers.

On his release Hicham was re-arrested under immigration legislation and, due to confusion over his visa documentation, charged with offences relating to his immigration status. He sought legal advice and representation over these matters whilst in custody. On Friday 23rd May, he was suddenly served with a deportation notice and moved to an immigration detention centre. The deportation is being urgently appealed.

Hicham has lived in Nottingham for 13 years while he studied for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and worked at the university, where he has built up a large network of close friends. The huge campaign to prevent his deportation is a testament to this.

He served as a member of the University Senate for two terms (2004-5) and on the Student's Union Executive Committee, was President of the Arabic Society, was the editor of the influential Voice magazine for international students, and is the long-time editor of Ceasefire magazine, a political journal. He was a prominent member of the artistic group 'Al-Zaytouna', and weeks before his arrest performed the leading role in a feature play at Nottingham Arts Theatre. Numerous references have been collected from reputable professors and prominent members of the local and national community that testify to his integrity and strong roots in the city. He lives and works in Nottingham and has shown every intention of fighting his case, as he thinks he has excellent grounds to remain in the U.K.

He is well known and popular on campus amongst the university community and has established himself as a voracious reader and an authority on literature and music. An application for British citizenship was underway, and he had been planning to make his yearly trip to Wales for the Hay Festival when he was suddenly arrested.

It is clear from Hicham's legal documentation that there could be no reason to disallow him bail and push for his removal before his set trial date, except that the immigration services are determined to remove him without allowing him due process. The fact that his initial arrest sparked widespread protest from students and academics, and extensive critical media coverage, suggests that the removal proceedings are a hasty, desperate attempt to divert attention from the disastrous handling of his initial detention.

Even more tellingly, a significant focus of the police investigation on Hicham's editorship of the political journal Ceasefire, his committed intellectual positions, and his extensive experience of grassroots activism, suggest that both his re-arrest and the subsequent attempts for swift removal are highly political decisions. This shameful charade is an affront to the very notions of justice and respect for fundamental human rights, which the U.K. government claims to champion. This should be resisted at all costs.

Hicham had a large social network and many of his friends are mobilising to prevent his release. Matthew Butcher, 20, a student at the University of Nottingham and member of the 2008-9 Students Union Executive, said, "This is an abhorrent abuse of due process, pursued by a government currently seeking to expand anti-terror powers. Following the debacle of the initial ‘terror’ arrests they now want to brush the whole affair under the carpet by deporting Hicham."

Supporters have been able to talk with Hicham and he said, "The Home Office operates with a Gestapo mentality. They have no respect for human dignity and human life. They treat foreign nationals as disposable goods - the recklessness and the cavalier approach they have belongs to a totalitarian state. I thank everyone for their support - it's been extremely heartening and humbling. I'm grateful to everyone who has come to my aid and stood with me in solidarity, from students to Members of Parliament. I think this really reflects the spirit of the generous, inclusive Britain we know - and not the faceless, brutal, draconian tactics of the Home Office"

Notts IMC

Additions

deportation must be stopped

24.05.2008 06:32

The deportation must be stopped. If necessary by direct action, although sicne the deportation is utterly illegal, it should not need to come to that. The defendant needs immigration lawyers quick, and to put in probably to SIAC in the first instance to stop the deportation. It may be necessary to make an asylum claim if he thinks he'd be mistreated - as seems likely given the circumstances of his deportation.

Direct action stopping or nearly stopping deportations:

 http://mostlywater.org/sweden_activists_face_prison_attempt_stop_refugee_deportation
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/archives/filed%20newszines/oldnewszines/news20/amanj.html
 http://allafrica.com/stories/200804180078.html


Recent case law:

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that even "terrorist suspects" cannot be deported to countries which are likely to mistreat them.
 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3455996.ece

The Court of Appeal has ruled similarly in Britain.
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/terror-suspects-win-battle-against-deportation-807005.html

And even before this, when British courts were upholding deportations, it was ruled that someone cannot be deported if a court thinks they aren't a threat to national security.
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6654437.stm

So I'd say the first action should be to contact lawyers who deal with immigration and deportations, to halt the deportation and get him bailed.

stop deportation


more coverage and useful links

25.05.2008 00:52

Amnesty demo in London
Amnesty demo in London

Berber demonstration in Algeria
Berber demonstration in Algeria

Free Hicham Yezza (reprint with added material from Amnesty)
 http://tenpercent.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/free-hicham-yezza/

Outcry after student arrested over al-Qaida research
 http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Outcry-after-student-arrested-over.4114548.jp

Student researching al-Qaida tactics held for six days
 http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2282045,00.html

Notts Uni Detainee Innocent But Still Facing Deportation
 http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?id=24588

Student researching al-Qaida tactics held for six days (reprint)
 http://www.algeria.com/forums/current-events-actualites/22356-news-algeria-2008-a-182.html

RELEVANT MATERIAL:

Amnesty International report on Algeria
 http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE28/004/2006/en/dom-MDE280042006en.pdf

US State Dept human rights report from BEFORE they got friendly with the regime
 http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18272.htm

Human Rights Watch: deportation "fig leaf for torture"
 http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/03/08/uk12783.htm

"Out of control orders"
 http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2008/04/taleb-deportations-algeria

Algeria: stronghold of the pouvoir
 http://www.meib.org/articles/0105_me1.htm

Interview with human rights activist 10 years ago
 http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article186

Algerian army holds levers of power
 http://mondediplo.com/1998/02/02algeria

still concerned


Demonstration Wednesday

25.05.2008 09:49


Demonstration wednesday. For more info and downloadable flyers/ poster see:  http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/05/399479.html

See you on wednesday !
- Homepage: http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/


media coverage

25.05.2008 17:51

:-)


More media coverage

25.05.2008 21:10

The Muslim News: Terrorism arrests provoke outrage on Nottingham campus
 http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=14335

Mathaba News Agency: UK terror laws criminalising political research, say students
 http://mathaba.net/news/?x=593060

The Canadian Press: Terrorism arrests at British university raise questions over academic freedom
 http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDyJQsNVJ85tRSsof-tBUFZV9vgg

Yorkshire Post: Outcry after student arrested over al-Qaida research
 http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Outcry-after-student-arrested-over.4114548.jp

news reader


This is GLOBAL news now

26.05.2008 13:16

Iranian national news agency coverage

"The arrest of an academic and a student from Nottingham University, central England, for possessing extremist material has provoked outrage on the campus after it was revealed the apparent offence concerned downloading material for a PhD course... In response to the wrongful detentions, academics from Nottingham University are holding a public reading next week of the research material that led to arrests under the Terrorism Act. It is being followed silent vigil to object to the attack on academic freedom. The arrests are understood to be the first since the government issued guidelines under its counter-extremism strategy to effectively target and spy on Muslim students and Islamic groups. "
 http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-20/0805249156174510.htm

Algerian press coverage (he's been promoted to Professor in this version):
 http://www.elkhabar.com/quotidienFrEn/lire.php?idc=129&ida=111643&key=3&cahed=1

Pakistan Observer (via AP):
 http://pakobserver.net/200805/25/news/world03.asp

Latest local news
 http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=134233&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133984&contentPK=20707668&folderPk=78481&pNodeId=133952

Fenland Today
 http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/latest-east-midlands-news/Terror-arrest-student-was-researching.4113799.jp&cid=1215078331&usg=AFrqEzcVgFvhEhHoXMtps8-C3ud-lnttaw

The Associated Press version
 http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jRUNxTB4I-UiIPgsBtKGsJNcZUGg
is in International Herald Tribune, Yahoo News, Arizona Daily Star, Metro Canada and dozens of other Canadian local sites, Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail Charlestone, PR-Insider (Austria) and The Scotsman.

Also across the blogosphere:
 http://beestonquakers.blogspot.com/2008/05/terror-on-campus.html
 http://freecommonwealth.blogspot.com/2008/05/proper-study-update.html
 http://freecommonwealth.blogspot.com/2008/05/proper-study-of-mankind.html
 http://kathzsblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/terror.html
 http://questionthat.me.uk/2008/05/university-clerk-threatened-with.html

concerned student


Very Good Free Hich blog

26.05.2008 13:45

Check it out, and send the link to all interested peoples!

 http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/

Student Activist


media latest

27.05.2008 03:31

Very supportive editorial in The News (Pakistan)
 http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=115006

Press release appearing in Czech Republic
 http://blisty.cz/sendart.rb?id=40801

:-)


Demo reports

28.05.2008 19:59

Local TV coverage of demo (and words from the student who was also arrested)
here:
 http://www.itvlocal.com/central/news/?player=CEN_News_15&void=194057

BBC Midlands today also covered it but it was a bit rubbish.

Local BBC Nottinhgam written report of demo here:
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7423544.stm

Also Hicham is now back in Colnbrook removal centre at Heathrow and the removal
flight no. is now known:
BA894 at Gatwick Airport (destination Algiers) on Sunday 1st June at 9.45am.

Keep checking with  http://notts.indymedia.org.uk &
 http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/

Write to BA/Willie Walsh to protest the deportation at:
Fax: 020 8759 4314 (0044 20 8759 4314 if you are faxing from outside UK).

No Borders Nottingham
- Homepage: http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk


coverage of demo, events

29.05.2008 01:15

Coverage from the Guardian:
UCU votes to support Hich.

It's being claimed the university has contacted the Home Office demanding due process be followed in Hich's case. Wonder if this is another fib.
 http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2282482,00.html

France 24 coverage, with long quotes from Hich and another student activist:
 http://observers.france24.com/en/content/20080528-deported-al-qaeda-manual-yezza-nottingham

Statement from staff in Guardian
 http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2282408,00.html

AP coverage of demo
 http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5huzhBGG4NWbp0-OvCAwreUKtbTHQ
 http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpdN_vBv1vuUo6-WhHFGd1HytBXw

Asian Image coverage of demo
 http://www.asianimage.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2302867.mostviewed.students_protest_at_deportation.php




:-)


Model fax/letter to British Airways to protest removal of Hicham Yezza

29.05.2008 11:28

Sample letter to BA now can be found here (note flight is from Heathrow T5, not Gatwick as previously stated):
 http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/model-letter-to-british-airways/

No Borders Nottingham
- Homepage: http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk


Interview with the campaign

29.05.2008 17:40

Riseup! Radio has featured an interview with 2 of the people involved with the Hicham Yezza campaign in the new show. Have a listen:  http://riseupradio.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/5-the-june-show/

Riseup! Radio crew
mail e-mail: riseupradio@indymedia.org
- Homepage: http://riseupradio.wordpress.com


World Socialist Web Site Articles

30.05.2008 13:12

Britain: An interview with the manager of Hicham Yezza’s defence campaign
 http://wsws.org/articles/2008/may2008/int-m30.shtml

Britain: Oppose deportation of Hicham Yezza
 http://wsws.org/articles/2008/may2008/yezz-m30.shtml

WSWS
- Homepage: http://wsws.org/


Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

May 31 | Workshop and Action Reminder

29.05.2008 10:33

May 31st Invite
What is Project 2012..?

10 December 2008 (10.12) will mark 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the basis for modern international and national human rights law, including within the UK. From 2008, once the Beijing Olympics are over, international focus will shift to the UK (2012). 'Project 10.12 - 2012' aims to reclaim Human Rights for all, from the grassroots, and to actively secure them within every community. Basically, we want everyone to be more involved in decision-making, and we aim to develop a programme to ensure the implementation of all key rights in the UK by 2012.

Our plan is to facilitate a series of rights (or, if you prefer, rights and resistance) workshops, each on a different theme, from May to November leading to a larger event on 10 December 2008 ('Humanity in the UK'). Each themed workshop will begin the important process of teasing out areas of concern to grassroots people working in the field in question. This process will help us to develop a cogent programme, while also educating others about the concrete work needed to make 'inalienable Human Rights' a reality for all.

First Project 2012 Workshop & Video Session
Saturday 31st May 2-5pm

Conservatory Café, Methodist Central Hall, Near Parliament Square, Westminster
To develop the Project 2012 campaign, get closer to a workable model and share facilitation skills for the coming months our first workshop on May 31st will be on the topic of 'how to hold workshops'. Individuals or group reps may wish to attend to learn facilitation skills from our expert trainers aswell as find out more about the overall project. After the workshop session there will be an opportunity to go on camera in Westminster with Rikki Blue (film maker behind Socpa The Movie (  http://www.socpa-movie.blogspot.com). This will allow participants to raise the profile of their issue on-line and engage with members of the public about Human Rights in the UK at the same time.

Wider Aims

The overall aims of the 10.12 -2012 Human Rights in the UK project and the workshops associated with it are to develop a programme or living manifesto for change:

* Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, reflecting on the history of human rights  http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
* Connecting individuals and groups involved in rights-based work
* Encouraging the development of a workable model of civil society and new forms of constructive resistance
* Considering the practical application of Article 1 of the UNCCPR, the right to self determination  http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html
* Considering the EU project's overall emphasis in the context of rights and democracy
* Encouraging mobilisation for 2012 in the UK and further afield

Volunteers - how to Get Involved..

We're looking to involve any groups and individuals who wish to promote key human rights for workshop facilitation. This is a wide project, so a long list is inevitable, but those interested in rights relating to constitution, planning, land, housing, healthcare, education, public services, right to protest, freedom of association, women's rights, workers' rights, migrants' rights, disability rights, prisoners rights, children's right, homeless rights, mental health, animals, nature and/or others are all very welcome.

Also, we would like to hear from people skilled at networking, workshop facilitation, conference organisation, leafleting, performance art, funding, venue provision and anyone else with time, skill or resources to offer! Basically any/all of the above - please get in touch.

For more info, or to offer a skill, suggest a workshop or register a place on the 31st please email:  greenpeaproject@gmail.com, text / call 0785 439 0408 or check for updates on www.peopleincommon.org

Best wishes
Project 2012 Team

Rights Worker
- Homepage: http://www.peopleincommon.org


Enforcing all the laws

29.05.2008 16:51

If the government does deport Hitch, then it must be that Nottm Uni was employing someone illegally. NuLabour have passed several laws about this, with increasing unpleasant CRIMINAL penalties for employers who hire people who aren't, in the government's terms, allowed to be here. Doesn't that mean that the Vice Chancellor, or at least the Registrar, should be arrested, fingerprinted, had DNA taken and charged? Is it worth asking Notts Police why they have not done this? Do they not enforce all laws equally?

If the Registrar or Vice Chancellor had to go through this they might be a bit more understanding in future, and a bit less likely to jump to conclusions or suppress research.

PJ


probably not working illegally...

29.05.2008 18:27

The rushed deportation is probably because if it came before a proper hearing, whatever anomaly they found on the forms was so small that it would not affect Hich's right to remain. I was under the impression he was on a valid visa and hence would not be working illegally. We haven't been told what the visa problem is, but it was probably something technical. The government knew Hich was here, he had an official visa, he got a driving license recently and according to one report, was applying for citizenship... so therefore, even if the government change their mind about the visa, it would be legal for him to work. This unfortunately, probably also means that arresting the vice-chancellor and registrar is not an option.

On the other hand, if he's been removed from the site, this presumably means he's been fired, and since it's hardly his fault that he can't fulfil his work requirements while being harassed by the state, his visa status is being appealed, and his actions hardly constitute misconduct, this might constitute wrongful dismissal - worth looking into if and when the deportation issue is sorted.

concerned


:-)

31.05.2008 01:05

Interesting points in the interview. I think though, the Home Office does this quite often - people caught wrongly in fake "terror" raids get harassed in other ways, usually immigration or minor tax/benefit fraud accusations. I suspect it has one of two rationales - either the Home Office assumes everyone raided is guilty even if they can't prove it, or they operate on a distortedly extreme "precautionary principle" that they should be deported or locked up "just in case" (and yes it also saves blushes since the proportion of guilty to innocent in raids is so bad). In one case people were actually acquitted in court and the Home Office still carried on for years trying to get them by other means, putting them under internment, control orders, asset freezing, trying to deport and so on.

:-)