Court blocks Tamil deportations from UK

28 February 2013 03:52 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The High Court in London has blocked the deportation of a group of failed Tamil asylum seekers scheduled to be sent back to Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The ruling means they will be able to remain in the UK pending investigations into their contention that they will be tortured if they are made to return.

The UK Border Agency told the BBC that it was "disappointed" by the ruling, and that it would appeal.

Human rights groups say some Tamils sent back earlier had been tortured.

They say that in some cases they were subjected to abuse because of their alleged links to separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. The Sri Lankan government denies this.

Sri Lanka's civil war came to an end in 2009, after 26 years of conflict and up to 100,000 casualties as the Tamil Tigers fought for independence.
'Fallen prey to lies'

It is believed to be the first time that a UK courts has blocked the deportation of a group of Tamils to Sri Lanka, although many individuals over the last 18 months have won last-minute court injunctions preventing their return.

In a statement released late on Wednesday, the Border Agency said the ruling did "not represent a blanket ban on returns to Sri Lanka".
File photo of Sri Lankan troops (24 April 2009) Human Rights Watch want security force members to be held criminally liable for abuses

However lawyers for Tamils under threat of deportation insist that it has wider implications, because it applies to all other failed Tamil asylum seekers - including those in detention - meaning none can be removed at present.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has accused the Sri Lankan government of abuses, including killing former Tamil Tigers and political opponents.

On Wednesday, Sri Lankan envoy Mahinda Samarasinghe accused Ms Pillay of bias in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr Samarasinghe said his country had "fallen prey to lies" spread by former rebels.

Correspondents say his criticisms reflect government sensitivities over Sri Lanka's rights record ahead of Colombo hosting a summit of British Commonwealth countries in November. Campaigners are calling for it to be boycotted.

On Tuesday Human Rights Watch, a New York-based organisation, accused Sri Lankan security forces of committing crimes of sexual violence against ethnic Tamils in custody.

Sri Lanka's government also dismissed the report as "lies". (BBC)

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Comments - 10

Dera Thursday, 28 February 2013 04:28 AM

And tomorrow the headlines of London newspapers will say, an impeachment against the CJ of UK is being brought up

USA Thursday, 28 February 2013 01:15 PM

yes, we can see how u doing now..

Sonali De Silva Thursday, 28 February 2013 10:32 AM

Ram is spot on. Please don't send them back. We can do without them.

Anura Thursday, 28 February 2013 12:00 AM

In few years headlines would read, LTTE establishes Eelam in UK. I won't be surprised at all. The way controlling certain areas here in UK, is very scary. via DM Android App

Nodrog Friday, 01 March 2013 05:08 AM

The tamil vote-base is offered to UK and Canadian MPs who will fight for these so-called refugees. Its not a question of human rights but their own political survival.

RAM Thursday, 28 February 2013 07:49 AM

UK gov depends very much on the vote of diaspora to stay in power. There are many of them holding positions in councils and other gov instutions. Most of these asylum seekers are seeking asylum on fabricated stories claiming political asylum just to remain in UK. I was there in uk for 2 years and how they claim asylum is pathic some pour kaju Kiri and claim to have been tortured. Not only tamil even sinhalese do the same. This is one of the reason why the world look so down on us when it come to human rights. Actually it is better off for us to have these people in UK than deporting to SL. They are the traitors. Selling the motherland for their own sake and does not even bother to think of whhat will happen to us here in SL. UK keep them there, they will help you to grow your economy

OMG Thursday, 28 February 2013 05:31 AM

This is what LTTE was trying to achieve through their baby BBS.

Terrance Thursday, 28 February 2013 05:58 AM

Uk is not Srilanka, these impeachment stories only in Srilanka under thugs rule not in uk or in europe

Gabo Singho Thursday, 28 February 2013 06:47 PM

We do not need these traitors back in our country. The UK is the cess pool of asylum seekers. The British public are fed up of all these asylum seekers. Its greedy lawyers who are doing all this. The British public too hate the Tamils. I was there very recently and I saw with my own eyes the disgust they feel towards the tamils who have lowered the living standards of many parts where tamils are living.

John Thursday, 28 February 2013 06:31 AM

......or any civilized democracies.

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Court blocks Tamil deportations from UK

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