UK court blocks SL Tamil deportations

28 February 2013 12:52 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A group of failed Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers have won the right to stay in the UK after the high court here blocked their deportation scheduled for today.

Lawyers for Tamils facing deportation claim the landmark decision applies to all other failed Tamil asylum seekers as well as those in detention, none of whom can be deported pending investigations into their claims that they will be subjected to torture in Sri Lanka.

The UK Border Agency, however, stressed that the decision did 'not represent a blanket ban on returns to Sri Lanka'.

'We are disappointed with the outcome of this hearing and we will appeal,' it added.

Human rights groups have maintained that Tamils sent back earlier have been tortured.

A Human Rights Watch report released earlier this week had claimed that Sri Lankan security forces were using violence to torture suspected members or supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The report had also accused the British government of continuing to deport failed asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka despite mounting evidence that they face the risk of being raped and tortured on their return, nearly four years after the end of the island's civil war. The Sri Lankan government denies these claims.

An immigration tribunal in Britain has been hearing evidence on the wider question of the situation in Sri Lanka and its deliberations will be used to update UK Home Office guidance on the risks of returning people to the island.

In his high court ruling this week, Justice Wilkie said that because the guidance on Sri Lanka was being considered 'virtually afresh' and it was clear that 'the existing country guidance will have to change,' the failed Tamil asylum seekers could not be deported as planned.

'That position is one which this court cannot simply blind itself to,' he said.

It is believed this is the first time a UK court 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.

'The UKBA's removals policy for Sri Lankan Tamils remains deeply flawed. Until this is remedied many in need of the UK's protection still live with the risk of forced return to torture,' said Keith Best, chief executive of rights group Freedom from Torture.

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Comments - 16

Yuri Thursday, 28 February 2013 01:07 PM

Well Court is the highest ! and UK start to recognize the barbarians

Ramankandiah Thursday, 28 February 2013 01:59 PM

This is actually first step before the cancellation of commenweath meeting. Well done UK

russel Thursday, 28 February 2013 04:58 PM

how u went to uk? by boat?

Kondebendapucheena Thursday, 28 February 2013 05:09 PM

keep them and don't send ,we have more if you need

Abdul Thursday, 28 February 2013 05:36 PM

you are encouraging economic migrants to seek asylum in uk. you take them and you deal with them. please don't torture our businessman and tourists asking for documents to when they come to apply for a tourist visa in British high commission.

Lishantha Friday, 01 March 2013 12:00 AM

dream on perpetrators! thanks UK! keep those asylum seekers! we don't want those losers back! you deal with that garbage! via DM Android App

anywherebuthere Friday, 01 March 2013 12:00 AM

loosers they are indeed, after all that they have gone through. If we cant even help those poor souls to lead a better life in mother Sri Lanka, after the war has seen its end what good is there is condemning their efforts for survival ? via DM Android App

Chats Friday, 01 March 2013 01:54 AM

I was typing the same comment when I saw yours. 100% agree with you.

ChickenParippu Friday, 01 March 2013 05:53 AM

and one day in the very near future, the UK will regret keeping them

ChickenParippu Friday, 01 March 2013 05:54 AM

yeah and UK can take more if they like - we like to keep the country clean.

Lobo Friday, 01 March 2013 06:05 AM

Highest hypocrites! As for the barbarians accusation...well it takes one to know one.

Jan Chandra Friday, 01 March 2013 06:10 AM

Let UK keep the migrants. It is good for Sri Lanka.

R.Wijesekara Friday, 01 March 2013 09:55 AM

Ahaka yana nai!!!

Yuri Friday, 01 March 2013 10:09 AM

Sad thing is People have hard time to accepted

Lionheart Friday, 01 March 2013 10:45 AM

Keep them in the UK. Soon you will know what kind of trouble they created for SL for 30 years. A terror mindset remains the same whether in the desert or in the snow. Good Luck UK!. Hope someone pursuades the others to come also. SL should provide them with larger boats to transport more at a time.

tjeyar Friday, 01 March 2013 12:00 AM

these guys and most of the diasporas r economic purpose ones.they really wish war should continue. via DM Android App

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UK court blocks SL Tamil deportations

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