International Federation of Iraqi Refugees & CSD Iraq 29 April Meeting at Portcullis House, Parliament
On 29 April 2008 The International Federation of Iraqi Refugees and Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq held a meeting in Parliament hosted by John McDonnell a Labour Member of Parliament to discuss Government policies relating to deporting refugees. The meeting was chaired by George Binette and addressed by the following speakers Dashty Jamal Secretary of International Federation of Iraqi refugees, John McDonnell Labour party MP, Jean Lambert a member of the European Parliament, Jacqueline Parlevliet, Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) London.
The chair George Binette opened the meeting by welcoming the speakers and everyone attending the meeting. George explained that each speaker would only be speaking for ten minutes because the purpose of the meeting was to take suggestions for a future work plan for the campaign.
The Chair introduced the first speaker Dashty Jamal Secretary of International Federation of Iraqi refugees
Dashty gave a brief explanation of the necessary steps to stop the forcible deportation of Iraqi and Kurdish refugees across Europe. (Dashty’s full speech will be published separately)
The Chair introduced the Second speaker John McDonnell Labour MP
Many MPs don’t understand the situation in Iraq or the question of detention – except for those MPs who deal with cases themselves. When you tell them, their reaction is disbelief. So the campaign needs to speak to MPs individually and speak to them about cases. We should start by targeting a group of sympathetic MPs and arrange face to face meetings with them. 1. Labour Party MPs; 2 from other parties.
When they understand the situation, they can move to action. Representations are crucial. The Home Office now often refuses representations from me for people in Harmondsworth or Colnebrook; they will only accept representations from MP of constituency of origin.
The campaign should talk to MPs about how they can do representations on a particular case. This may help the individual, and makes it real for the MP; then you can move on to discuss more general issues.
The problem could be resolved if the government acknowledged that there is a problem and granted people from Iraq. Most MPs do accept that Iraq will not be fine again any time soon.
The campaign needs to work more systematically; and do more thorough work in the labour movement and trade unions. The Labour Representation Committee will take it up, and can circulate information generally and to individuals if necessary.
There have been examples of successes by Trade Union sponsoring cases. We should try to get affinity between Trade Unions and cases they take up – eg ask NUJ to take up cases of journalists and so on, matching employment there or here to the right union. Individuals should try to get membership of the appropriate union, and get the weight of the national union behind them.
Lastly, we should campaign to get more MPs doing representations on behalf of constituents; I believe we can get new MPs to become committed.
The Chair introduced the third Speaker Jean Lambert Green Member of European Parliament
There was recently a statement by the German Interior Minister saying: We have to find a solution for the Christians coming from Iraq. The Slovenian Minister reminded him that there is meant to be a consideration of individual cases. He points out that addressing a group on a blanket basis is a common misunderstanding – including on the long-standing Iraqi cases many of which were not based on persecution by Saddam Hussein. Also there are people making out Kurdistan to be what it is not really. The situation for women there is if anything worsening. Where people in Europe are interested in one aspect, such as women’s problems, this does mean that it is possible to start from one aspect and then take up the wider issue in the European or British Parliaments.
The EU Parliamentary Human Rights Sub-Committee has met several times on Iraq, including meeting the KRG. We ask people from Iraq whether returns should be made to Iraq. Whoever we ask says no: there is nothing to return to, it is not safe; it is even harder for people who have been out for a long time. Also people returning put extra strain on the situation there. It would be useful to collate this for the MPs here and in Europe (Germany, Sweden etc).
Stories can be powerful. Material on people who have been returned is also valuable – even if the campaign has lost contact with them.
We are starting to make inroads at the European level – where people cannot go back to Country of Origin although their claim has been turned down. There has to be a status for such people and this question has to be resolved. Governments should not use destitution to force people to return.
The EU level can be useful for access to resolution, to talk to people there and to ask them to take it up at home.
People should be aware that there is a hearing coming up on Dublin two. Different methods are emerging amongst the different member states of hearing claims – especially where some member states see “Iraq” and almost wash their hands of it.
Jacqueline Parlevliet, Deputy Representative for UNHCR, London
Dear Colleagues, I think that you are familiar with UNHCR’s eligibility guidelines on Iraq as well as with our return advisory. I would like to draw your attention this evening to the situation of Iraqi refugees in the Middle East. Jordan and Syria, neighbouring countries, are hosting some 2 million Iraqi refugees under very difficult circumstances. UNHCR is trying to assist the most vulnerable refugees in those countries, however, many people have also decided to return to Iraq despite the insecurity and the difficulties they might face because it is hard to sustain themselves in the region. Or alternatively, those refugees might decide to move further on, and will eventually reach European borders. We have noted an increase in asylum applications from Iraqis across Europe, as well as in the UK.
UNHCR has expressed its concern with regard to the reception conditions for Iraqis in Europe, and has also highlighted the inconsistencies in the application of the Qualification Directive in the various European countries. Further, there are concerns about the return policies that are currently implemented by various countries in Europe. UNHCR’s return advisory quite clearly sets out how we think Iraqi refugees and other persons of concern should be treated.
With regard to enforced returns of failed asylum seekers to Iraq by the UK, UNHCR has sought clarification and assurances in the context of UNHCR’s return advisory. We understand that enforced returns have taken place to KRG controlled areas and that no vulnerable persons are currently being returned.
George Binette thanked the speakers for their contributions but said before opening the meeting for questions asked Serwa Nouri Yousef to speak about the recent deportation of her husband.
My husband was deported on Friday 25th April 08, and I am 7 months pregnant. Is this an example of justice and humanity? Since 2001 he has been studying computing and trying to get asylum here. But the Home Office did not allow him anything, no asylum, no permission for work, no support. He had major depression because of the pressure. And after eight years he was removed with no mercy.
Since his removal till now, I have not heard from him. Is he alive? Is he dead? I don’t know. Are there any human rights here, when he can’t see his first baby? And I am very worried about him. Who will be responsible if something happens to him?
Is splitting up a family an example of the fairness and respect for Human Rights the world expects from this country, Great Britain?
Is this what the deportation or removal rules say, to remove a father, who would not see his first baby born?
George then asked for contributions from the floor. Following a wide ranging discussion George closed the meeting and summarised the following actions and way forward that had been suggested.
Support campaign by organising protests and collecting signatures to stop deportation.
Lobby British MP’s and MEP’s to raise the issue of forcible deportation in both the UK and the European parliament to put pressure on European Governments to stop forcible deportation of Iraqi refugees.
Request that the UNHCR not to be silent about attacks on Iraqi asylum seekers and call for the European countries deporting Iraqi refugees to adhere to the 1951 Geneva Convention in regards to refugee rights.
Support the Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) campaign for giving asylum seekers permission of work and request that the TUC participate in the Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq campaign.
Support Voices in the Wilderness action against deportations to Iraq in June, and meetings that other refugee campaigners organise, such as the TGWU branch meeting on deportations to Iraq in Sheffield in June.
Work with other migrants’ rights campaigners wherever possible.
Model motion for union branches, regional bodies opposing deportations to Iraq
This branch/regional committee notes:
The policy of the British government to deport “failed” Iraqi asylum seekers, specifically those from the predominantly Kurdish regions in the north of the country, with more than 175 people deported since 2005, despite the continued occupation and military conflict across the whole of Iraq including the north
The adoption of broadly similar policies in recent months by the German and Swedish governments
The continued restrictions on legal working by asylum seekers and the systematic use of destitution as a policy instrument by the Home Office in an effort to persuade Iraqi asylum seekers to leave Britain “voluntarily”.
This branch/regional committee believes:
There is compelling evidence that both the situation across Iraq remains extremely insecure and that several of those forcibly deported to northern Iraq have faced physical and psychological abuse from the local security services on their return
The attitude of the British government is particularly hypocritical in that it partly relied on the brutal human rights abuses perpetrated by Saddam Hussein’s murderous regime to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq, yet it refuses to offer a haven to Iraqis who have fled human rights abuses and a country that remains extremely violent and unstable more than five years after the start of the US and British-led military campaign
The continued policy of deportations indicates that the Government may soon be prepared to deport “failed” asylum seekers anywhere, regardless of the reality of the domestic situation in their country of origin.
This branch/regional committee resolves:
To donate £ x to the “Campaign to Stop Deportations to Iraq”
To submit this motion to the relevant union body and/or local Trades Council
To publicise among our own members the reality of the situation in Iraq, including the Kurdish region, and the arguments for opposing deportations more generally
To support the TUC-backed campaign to extend the right to asylum seekers generally and
To explore with other trade union bodies the possibility of funding a speaking tour in British cities and towns to highlight the issues outlined above.
For further information contact Sarah Parker Sarahp107@hotmail.com Dashty Jamal d.jamal@ntlworld.com 078560 32991 Karen Johnson Karen8johnson@btinternet.com 07804 891082 http://www.csdiraq.com/
The chair George Binette opened the meeting by welcoming the speakers and everyone attending the meeting. George explained that each speaker would only be speaking for ten minutes because the purpose of the meeting was to take suggestions for a future work plan for the campaign.
The Chair introduced the first speaker Dashty Jamal Secretary of International Federation of Iraqi refugees
Dashty gave a brief explanation of the necessary steps to stop the forcible deportation of Iraqi and Kurdish refugees across Europe. (Dashty’s full speech will be published separately)
The Chair introduced the Second speaker John McDonnell Labour MP
Many MPs don’t understand the situation in Iraq or the question of detention – except for those MPs who deal with cases themselves. When you tell them, their reaction is disbelief. So the campaign needs to speak to MPs individually and speak to them about cases. We should start by targeting a group of sympathetic MPs and arrange face to face meetings with them. 1. Labour Party MPs; 2 from other parties.
When they understand the situation, they can move to action. Representations are crucial. The Home Office now often refuses representations from me for people in Harmondsworth or Colnebrook; they will only accept representations from MP of constituency of origin.
The campaign should talk to MPs about how they can do representations on a particular case. This may help the individual, and makes it real for the MP; then you can move on to discuss more general issues.
The problem could be resolved if the government acknowledged that there is a problem and granted people from Iraq. Most MPs do accept that Iraq will not be fine again any time soon.
The campaign needs to work more systematically; and do more thorough work in the labour movement and trade unions. The Labour Representation Committee will take it up, and can circulate information generally and to individuals if necessary.
There have been examples of successes by Trade Union sponsoring cases. We should try to get affinity between Trade Unions and cases they take up – eg ask NUJ to take up cases of journalists and so on, matching employment there or here to the right union. Individuals should try to get membership of the appropriate union, and get the weight of the national union behind them.
Lastly, we should campaign to get more MPs doing representations on behalf of constituents; I believe we can get new MPs to become committed.
The Chair introduced the third Speaker Jean Lambert Green Member of European Parliament
There was recently a statement by the German Interior Minister saying: We have to find a solution for the Christians coming from Iraq. The Slovenian Minister reminded him that there is meant to be a consideration of individual cases. He points out that addressing a group on a blanket basis is a common misunderstanding – including on the long-standing Iraqi cases many of which were not based on persecution by Saddam Hussein. Also there are people making out Kurdistan to be what it is not really. The situation for women there is if anything worsening. Where people in Europe are interested in one aspect, such as women’s problems, this does mean that it is possible to start from one aspect and then take up the wider issue in the European or British Parliaments.
The EU Parliamentary Human Rights Sub-Committee has met several times on Iraq, including meeting the KRG. We ask people from Iraq whether returns should be made to Iraq. Whoever we ask says no: there is nothing to return to, it is not safe; it is even harder for people who have been out for a long time. Also people returning put extra strain on the situation there. It would be useful to collate this for the MPs here and in Europe (Germany, Sweden etc).
Stories can be powerful. Material on people who have been returned is also valuable – even if the campaign has lost contact with them.
We are starting to make inroads at the European level – where people cannot go back to Country of Origin although their claim has been turned down. There has to be a status for such people and this question has to be resolved. Governments should not use destitution to force people to return.
The EU level can be useful for access to resolution, to talk to people there and to ask them to take it up at home.
People should be aware that there is a hearing coming up on Dublin two. Different methods are emerging amongst the different member states of hearing claims – especially where some member states see “Iraq” and almost wash their hands of it.
Jacqueline Parlevliet, Deputy Representative for UNHCR, London
Dear Colleagues, I think that you are familiar with UNHCR’s eligibility guidelines on Iraq as well as with our return advisory. I would like to draw your attention this evening to the situation of Iraqi refugees in the Middle East. Jordan and Syria, neighbouring countries, are hosting some 2 million Iraqi refugees under very difficult circumstances. UNHCR is trying to assist the most vulnerable refugees in those countries, however, many people have also decided to return to Iraq despite the insecurity and the difficulties they might face because it is hard to sustain themselves in the region. Or alternatively, those refugees might decide to move further on, and will eventually reach European borders. We have noted an increase in asylum applications from Iraqis across Europe, as well as in the UK.
UNHCR has expressed its concern with regard to the reception conditions for Iraqis in Europe, and has also highlighted the inconsistencies in the application of the Qualification Directive in the various European countries. Further, there are concerns about the return policies that are currently implemented by various countries in Europe. UNHCR’s return advisory quite clearly sets out how we think Iraqi refugees and other persons of concern should be treated.
With regard to enforced returns of failed asylum seekers to Iraq by the UK, UNHCR has sought clarification and assurances in the context of UNHCR’s return advisory. We understand that enforced returns have taken place to KRG controlled areas and that no vulnerable persons are currently being returned.
George Binette thanked the speakers for their contributions but said before opening the meeting for questions asked Serwa Nouri Yousef to speak about the recent deportation of her husband.
My husband was deported on Friday 25th April 08, and I am 7 months pregnant. Is this an example of justice and humanity? Since 2001 he has been studying computing and trying to get asylum here. But the Home Office did not allow him anything, no asylum, no permission for work, no support. He had major depression because of the pressure. And after eight years he was removed with no mercy.
Since his removal till now, I have not heard from him. Is he alive? Is he dead? I don’t know. Are there any human rights here, when he can’t see his first baby? And I am very worried about him. Who will be responsible if something happens to him?
Is splitting up a family an example of the fairness and respect for Human Rights the world expects from this country, Great Britain?
Is this what the deportation or removal rules say, to remove a father, who would not see his first baby born?
George then asked for contributions from the floor. Following a wide ranging discussion George closed the meeting and summarised the following actions and way forward that had been suggested.
Support campaign by organising protests and collecting signatures to stop deportation.
Lobby British MP’s and MEP’s to raise the issue of forcible deportation in both the UK and the European parliament to put pressure on European Governments to stop forcible deportation of Iraqi refugees.
Request that the UNHCR not to be silent about attacks on Iraqi asylum seekers and call for the European countries deporting Iraqi refugees to adhere to the 1951 Geneva Convention in regards to refugee rights.
Support the Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) campaign for giving asylum seekers permission of work and request that the TUC participate in the Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq campaign.
Support Voices in the Wilderness action against deportations to Iraq in June, and meetings that other refugee campaigners organise, such as the TGWU branch meeting on deportations to Iraq in Sheffield in June.
Work with other migrants’ rights campaigners wherever possible.
Model motion for union branches, regional bodies opposing deportations to Iraq
This branch/regional committee notes:
The policy of the British government to deport “failed” Iraqi asylum seekers, specifically those from the predominantly Kurdish regions in the north of the country, with more than 175 people deported since 2005, despite the continued occupation and military conflict across the whole of Iraq including the north
The adoption of broadly similar policies in recent months by the German and Swedish governments
The continued restrictions on legal working by asylum seekers and the systematic use of destitution as a policy instrument by the Home Office in an effort to persuade Iraqi asylum seekers to leave Britain “voluntarily”.
This branch/regional committee believes:
There is compelling evidence that both the situation across Iraq remains extremely insecure and that several of those forcibly deported to northern Iraq have faced physical and psychological abuse from the local security services on their return
The attitude of the British government is particularly hypocritical in that it partly relied on the brutal human rights abuses perpetrated by Saddam Hussein’s murderous regime to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq, yet it refuses to offer a haven to Iraqis who have fled human rights abuses and a country that remains extremely violent and unstable more than five years after the start of the US and British-led military campaign
The continued policy of deportations indicates that the Government may soon be prepared to deport “failed” asylum seekers anywhere, regardless of the reality of the domestic situation in their country of origin.
This branch/regional committee resolves:
To donate £ x to the “Campaign to Stop Deportations to Iraq”
To submit this motion to the relevant union body and/or local Trades Council
To publicise among our own members the reality of the situation in Iraq, including the Kurdish region, and the arguments for opposing deportations more generally
To support the TUC-backed campaign to extend the right to asylum seekers generally and
To explore with other trade union bodies the possibility of funding a speaking tour in British cities and towns to highlight the issues outlined above.
For further information contact Sarah Parker Sarahp107@hotmail.com Dashty Jamal d.jamal@ntlworld.com 078560 32991 Karen Johnson Karen8johnson@btinternet.com 07804 891082 http://www.csdiraq.com/
