IFIR press release:   Two Iraqi Asylum Seekers on a Hunger strike

Sardar Omer Abdulla has been living in the UK for 19 years and has a son who is 7 years old. Sardar is currently being held in Colebrook detention centre, is on hunger strike alongside Aso Khder to protest at the conditions they are being held in.

The mother of  Sader’s child informed IFIR ‘I do not want the father of my child to be sent back to a country where his life is in danger and I would rather have my child spend their new years with their loving and caring father. Our child  deserve to grow up looking up to their dad as he is constantly there for them and show great care towards the child ’.  

Aso Khder, who is from Kirkuk but currently living in the UK, has a son who is 3 months and a 7 year old daughter. He also went on a hunger strike yesterday evening.

Sardar and Aso informed IFIR that they asked the UKBA to not separate them from their families and loved ones as it is very close to New Year and they would like to spend time with their families rather than being forcibly deported.  This situation has had an impact on their families and children leaving them distraught as they haven’t been able to see their fathers. Aso and Sardar have starved themselves since being imprisoned awaiting deportation.

The International Federation of Iraqi Refugees is deeply concerned about the on-going problems within the detention centre. IFIR ask all Refugee and Human Rights Organizations to stop this deportation and all future deportations.

This month alone eleven Iraqi Kurds have been forcibly deported to Baghdad. More than 30 Iraqis and Kurdish people have been arrested and are being held in different detention entre’s across the UK. Many of those held in the UK have been resident in the UK for ten to fifteen years and have UK wives, partners and children. These deportations follow a deal made between the Iraqi Government and UKBA. However following IFIR contacting Iraqi MP’s on the 26 April 2017, 104 members of the Iraqi Parliament have signed a resolution to urge the federal government of Iraq to refuse to accept forcible deportation flights from Europe.

IFIR calls on all human and refugee right organizations, trade unions and freedom loving people to stop forcible deportations to Iraq and to not let the UKBA and Iraqi government play with the lives of Iraqi victims.

Take Action

Please write to the UKBA, Home Secretary Sajid Javid:

2 Marsham Street, London

E-mail to:  public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk ,
privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or  Fax: 020 7035 4745

Post to: Home Secretary Sajid Javid:

2 Marsham Street, London

Please also support our campaign by writing to the UK’s Home Secretary asking her to:

• Immediately halt these deportations

• End the UK’s deportation agreement with the Iraqi Government

• Immediately release all Iraqi refugees held in detention in the UK

• Give all Iraqis in the UK refugee status.

  Contact details:

  The Home Secretary Sajid Javid: MP

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  2 Marsham Street ,London

  SW1P 4DF

  Email:

  privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

10 December 2018