On the exact same day that a top US inteliigence officer was reported as noting that the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating and that the Karzai regime presently controls less than one third of the country, a Birmingham man was detained at Solihull's Midland Enforcement Unit, with a view to enfoced removal to Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 4th.
Zaman Ahmed Zaman came to the UK from Afghanistan in 2002, when he was
granted leave to remain for one year. He has never had his permission to
work revoked and has been in paid employment for the past 6 years, never
once claiming welfare benefits. He has found many friends in the UK, has
learnt to speak English fluently and has integrated completely into life
in the UK.
When he applied for an extension of this, he was refused. At the appeal hearing, the adjudicator said that he found him to be an entirely credible witness and commended his efforts to support himself and build a new life in the United Kingdom- however, the adjudicator felt that he could go and use his talents in Afghanistan. This was ignoring the fact that Zaman had already worked for several international agencies in Afghanistan- but this had not prevented him from being targeted by both the Taliban and the new government.
He submitted a fresh claim for asylum in January 2007 and has been hoping
for a positive decision so that he can begin to build his future here in
the UK.
Zaman went to sign at the Midlands Enforcement Unit in Solihull on
Thursday, February 29th- the very day on which America's top intelligence
official was quoted as saying that the security situation in Afghanistan
is deteriorating and that President Hamid Karzai's government cotrols less
than one third of the country. On arrival at Solihull, Zaman was advised
that his fresh claim for asylum had been refused and that he was to be
detained, pending deportation to Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 4th.
Neither he nor his legal representative had at that point been notified of
the claim's refusal.
Zaman is presently being held in detention at Manchester International
Airport. His legal representative is attempting to initiate judicial
review proceedings against Zaman's deportation though, with characteristic
inefficiency, the Border and Immigration Agency has failed even to issue
appropriate documentation appertaining to the removal directions.
Despite the abundant evidence of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the danger to those who are perceived as without political support or who have become ‘Westernised’, the Home Office refuse to believe that Zaman would be in danger if returned to Afghanistan. His solicitors have made fresh representations detailing the danger he faces, and the immense contribution he has made since he has been in the United Kingdom. These have been ignored, along with other evidence he has been able to obtain, and he has been told he will be deported.
Zaman knows that he will have no protection or redress if he is returned to Afghanistan.
Please contact the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, (Fax: 020 8760 3132/ from
outside UK+ 44 020 8760 3132) quoting Home Office reference Z1030285,
asking that Zaman be allowed to stay in the UK to live as a productive and
well respected member of the community, rather than deported to a failing
state, as well as Liam Byrne, immigration minister, at
byrnel@parliament.uk
Please also contact Hamburg International Airlines
( contact@hamburg-international.de), requesting that they withdraw from
assisting the BIA to deport people to death and misery. Please copy all
messages of support to admin@asirt.org.uk.
granted leave to remain for one year. He has never had his permission to
work revoked and has been in paid employment for the past 6 years, never
once claiming welfare benefits. He has found many friends in the UK, has
learnt to speak English fluently and has integrated completely into life
in the UK.
When he applied for an extension of this, he was refused. At the appeal hearing, the adjudicator said that he found him to be an entirely credible witness and commended his efforts to support himself and build a new life in the United Kingdom- however, the adjudicator felt that he could go and use his talents in Afghanistan. This was ignoring the fact that Zaman had already worked for several international agencies in Afghanistan- but this had not prevented him from being targeted by both the Taliban and the new government.
He submitted a fresh claim for asylum in January 2007 and has been hoping
for a positive decision so that he can begin to build his future here in
the UK.
Zaman went to sign at the Midlands Enforcement Unit in Solihull on
Thursday, February 29th- the very day on which America's top intelligence
official was quoted as saying that the security situation in Afghanistan
is deteriorating and that President Hamid Karzai's government cotrols less
than one third of the country. On arrival at Solihull, Zaman was advised
that his fresh claim for asylum had been refused and that he was to be
detained, pending deportation to Afghanistan on Tuesday, March 4th.
Neither he nor his legal representative had at that point been notified of
the claim's refusal.
Zaman is presently being held in detention at Manchester International
Airport. His legal representative is attempting to initiate judicial
review proceedings against Zaman's deportation though, with characteristic
inefficiency, the Border and Immigration Agency has failed even to issue
appropriate documentation appertaining to the removal directions.
Despite the abundant evidence of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the danger to those who are perceived as without political support or who have become ‘Westernised’, the Home Office refuse to believe that Zaman would be in danger if returned to Afghanistan. His solicitors have made fresh representations detailing the danger he faces, and the immense contribution he has made since he has been in the United Kingdom. These have been ignored, along with other evidence he has been able to obtain, and he has been told he will be deported.
Zaman knows that he will have no protection or redress if he is returned to Afghanistan.
Please contact the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, (Fax: 020 8760 3132/ from
outside UK+ 44 020 8760 3132) quoting Home Office reference Z1030285,
asking that Zaman be allowed to stay in the UK to live as a productive and
well respected member of the community, rather than deported to a failing
state, as well as Liam Byrne, immigration minister, at
byrnel@parliament.uk Please also contact Hamburg International Airlines
(
contact@hamburg-international.de), requesting that they withdraw from assisting the BIA to deport people to death and misery. Please copy all
messages of support to
admin@asirt.org.uk. 
e-mail:
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British Government's own travel advice
02.03.2008 15:33
The Home Office publishes travel advice for people intending to visit Afghanistan here:
It says, for example:
SUMMARY
* We strongly advise against all travel to the provinces of Balkh (Northern Afghanistan); Ghazni, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Paktika, Panjsher and Paktya (Eastern Afghanistan); Helmand, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan, and Zabul (Southern Afghanistan); and Farah (Western Afghanistan). This is because of ongoing military activity and lawlessness. See the Terrorism/Security (Outside Kabul) section of this advice for more details.
* We strongly advise against all but essential travel to Kabul because of ongoing terrorist activity and the continuing high threat of kidnap. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, observe the strictest of security measures, and defer any unnecessary travel around the city. Since 25 July 2007, the Afghan Ministry of the Interior has imposed a restriction on onward travel from Kabul. Foreign citizens leaving Kabul by road must be accompanied by an armed escort. See the Terrorism/Security (Kabul) section of this advice for more details.
* You should only consider travelling to other provinces if you have a strong reason to do so but if you do believe that your visit is essential we strongly recommend that you seek local advice before undertaking your journey. You should review your security arrangements in-country and you should seek professional advice on whether they are adequate. You should also be aware of the widespread danger from mines and unexploded ordnance throughout Afghanistan.
* There is a high threat of terrorism in Afghanistan. Specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication. There continues to be a high threat from suicide bombers in Kabul and other urban areas. See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.
* There is a continuing high threat of kidnap against British nationals, including journalists and those working for NGOs, in Afghanistan, particularly in the south and east. The security situation remains serious and the threat to Westerners from terrorist or criminal violence remains high. Numerous foreign nationals have been kidnapped across the country and some victims have been killed.
* Information on specific and urgent threats is circulated via the Warden network within Afghanistan. It is therefore important that you register with the British Embassy in Kabul on arrival. See the Contact Details of this advice for more details.
* We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section and Travel Insurance for more details.
watcher
E-mail address for the CEO of Hamburg
02.03.2008 16:08
The CEO of Hamburg International Airlines, which does extradition flights is
Christoph von Saldern.
His e-mail address is:
Write to him and ask him not to allow Zaman Ahmed Zaman to be extradited on any of his flights.
plane spotter