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Iraq deportation protest in Parliament Sq

Stop Deportation | 19.10.2009 15:41 | Iraq | Migration | Terror War

Anti-deportation campaigners gathered in Parliament Square, London, on Saturday, 17th October, to protest against the first (failed) mass deportation flight to Baghdad.

The demonstration, called by the Stop Deportation Network and the International Federation of Iraqi Refugee, saw protesters holding banners and placards and shouting slogans against forcible deportation in general and to a war zone like Iraq in particular.

Speakers, including veteran anti-war protester Brian Haw, denounced the British government's hypocrisy and its role in creating the Iraqi refugee crisis through its involvement in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Two deportees, who had been returned to Brook House detention centre after the flight was turned away at Baghdad airport by the Iraqi authorities, also spoke on the phone and told protesters, via a megaphone, of the violence and mistreatment they had experienced during the deportation at the hands of immigration officers and private security guards.












More details to follow soon...

Stop Deportation
- Homepage: http://stopdeportation.net

Additions

Mainstream Media Coverage

19.10.2009 20:44

Reuters - Iraq sends asylum seekers back to Britain
 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLH49903420091017

AFP - Iraqis deported from Britain barred from homeland: officials
 http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hF5ydIEjXd2BE9zre8eDSsDgivjQ?index=0

BBC - Iraq sends back UK asylum flight
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8310572.stm

BBC - Iraq deportees in UK await fate
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8312378.stm

The Guardian - Iraqis claim abuse and assault after failed deportation
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/18/iraq-deportees-asylum-seeker-claims

The Independent - Deported Iraqis put straight back on plane to Britain
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/deported-iraqis-put-straight-back-on-plane-to-britain-1804350.html

The Times - Fiasco as Iraqi deportees are turned back in Baghdad
 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6878894.ece

The Telegraph - Failed Iraqi asylum seekers 'fear for lives' in Baghdad
 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/6369705/Failed-Iraqi-asylum-seekers-fear-for-lives-in-Baghdad.html

New York Times - Iraq Sends 41 of 50 Deported Refugees Back to Britain
 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/world/middleeast/18iraq.html?_r=1

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Saturday's Demo Also on Demotix

20.10.2009 10:59

 http://www.demotix.com/news/protest-over-forced-deportation-iraqi-refugees

It briefly made the front page there, with a story about the background and more pictures of Saturday's event - though lacking the detail on Saturday posted above.

More pictures on My London Diary in a day or two

Peter

Peter Marshall
mail e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
- Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk