London MEP denounces deportations of asylum-seekers to Iraq
14 March 2008
Jean Lambert MEP has criticized the Government's decision to return or leavedestitute 1,400 Iraqi asylum-seekers, whilst Jordan and Syria have been leftto cope with the exodus of millions of Iraqi citizens since the conflictbegan. Ms Lambert was speaking ahead of a Stop The War demonstration takingplace on Saturday 15 March at 12 noon in Trafalgar Square, which is expectedto attract tens of thousands of protesters.
Jean Lambert MEP, who is a member of the European Parliament's Committee onCivil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs said:
"It is disgraceful that the UK Government is forcing Iraqi refugees back toa country that is still extremely dangerous. 80 people have been killed inshootings and bombings over the past week. No-one can honestly say that itis safe.
"Almost five million Iraqis have been displaced by violence since theconflict began in 2003. Up to 1.5 million refugees are living in Syria and afurther 1 million have been taken into Jordan, Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkeyand the Gulf States. These countries are struggling to provide essentialhealth services, housing and education, yet the UK Government is refusing toprovide sanctuary for a 1,400 individuals.
"This is yet another example of the UK Government's determination toincrease the numbers of people being deported over-riding their commitmentsto human rights.
"The European Parliament has taken the view that no country should beforcibly returning people to Iraq and members of the Iraqi Parliament agreethat return is dangerous and potentially destabilising for the country.
"The choice being given to people is face destitution in Britain or facedestitution in Iraq. This clearly is no choice at all."
