Legal challenge blocks deportations

12 April 2012

Court orders have been obtained to block the removal of five Iraqi asylum seekers.

The Refugee Legal Centre (RLC) said the five were among 32 asylum seekers due to be deported.

An RLC spokeswoman said the High Court had granted the injunctions pending judicial review applications.

She added: "We fear that had all 32 been given meaningful access to representation, then many more would not be on the proposed flight today."

Earlier reports had suggested that Home Secretary John Reid was taking a tough stance on the issue.

Last November, an attempt to deport more than 70 Iraqi Kurds ended with only 20 being flown out because of the launch of last-minute legal challenges.

Later the Home Office stressed that all those being deported had had their asylum claims properly dealt with and dismissed. As failed asylum seekers they had no right to remain in the UK.

"It is important for the integrity of our asylum system that any individual who is found not to be in need of international protection should be expected to leave the UK," said a Home Office spokesman.

"Voluntary returns are preferable to enforced returns but if people do not leave voluntarily, we will enforce their return. Iraq is no different in this regard."

However the RLC contended that many might still have a legitimate right to seek judicial review in a last-ditch bid to remain in the UK.

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