Tayyip Oruc Update

On Monday 5th February, when Tayyip Oruc went to Middlesbrough police station for his monthly signing, he was arrested and detained by immigration officials.

At the police station an immigration officer asked Tayyip if there were any changes or developments with his situation. Tayyip explained that in early December 2000, his family had been attacked by the Turkish military yet again. They beat his mother and father with batons and took away his brother. They shot his family's two cows, a horse and their dog and threatened to remove the family from their land. To date, they have still not been able to find out where the brother is being detained, whether he has been charged, or when or if he is likely to be released. Tayyip said that he cannot be returned to such a serious and life threatening situation.

Tayyip's representative demanded that this allegation be investigated before any decisions to detain or deport are carried out.

It took 15 minutes for the authorities to dismiss this information and decide to continue with the planned removal. This cannot be fair and is a clear breach of international obligations.

It was Tayyip's 28th birthday on Saturday 10th February and campaigners held a birthday party outside Holme House prison in Stockton-on-Tees. The party included fireworks, balloons and an extra large birthday cake wrapped with barbedwire. The story was headline news on BBC local TV (knocking a news item about William Hague to second place), and was also featured on Tyne Tees TV.

Tayyip was moved to the Detention Suite at Manchester Airport pending his deportation planned for 13th February. However solicitors have made a legal challenge under the Human Rights Act, and Tayyip was moved again to Lindholme Detention Centre near Doncaster.

A bail application was unsuccessful as the adjudicator required £10,000 sureties.

Tayyip's life is in great danger, so we have to step up the campaign.

Further information and a standard letter to send to the Home Office are available from NCADC Manchester office.