Emergency protest called to stop all imminent deportations of asylum seekers

Jul 14 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

A last minute demonstration has been called to stop all imminent deportations of asylum seekers under the Detained Fast Track (DFT) system, which was last week declared unlawful by the High Court.

The event will take place at the Home Office from 12pm tomorrow, 15 July.

Protest organisers note that despite a HIgh Court ruling last week that the DFT asylum system is unlawful, hundreds, including those seeking asylum for fear of persecution based on their sexuality or gender identity, may still be deported in coming weeks under the system.

Organisers state: “The only just response to the High Court decision is to release everyone on Fast Track, cancel all the refusals and removal directions given on Fast Track, and allow the victims of this system to bring new claims that they can pursue under free and fair conditions.”

Human rights groups, MPs and lawyers have frequently documented alleged cases of the Home Office deporting LGBT asylum seekers back to countries such as Uganda where they face violence.

The claims have always been denied by the Home Office.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Barker called on the government to condemn and stop the “shockingly degrading” treatment of LGBT asylum seekers by Home Office caseworkers, following publication of a leaked report in February.

The report showed LGBT asylum seekers continue to face abusive, degrading “interrogations” about their sex lives.

Earlier today, lesbian asylum seeker and activist Margret Nazziwa was informed that she would be released, despite that she had been scheduled for deportation to Uganda for Sunday 13 July.