Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 2009 Annual Report on Human Rights

[Download extracts from country reports]

Iran: "We must support the struggle for civil rights. When courageous protestors such as those on the streets of Iran make clear their desire for democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms; and when their government responds with brutality, then we must make it clear that we are on the side of the people." David Miliband Foreign Secretary

So if we are on the side of the people, why are we deporting people to Iran?

Countries of Concern to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Afghanistan - Belarus - Burma - China - Colombia
Cuba - Democratic People's Republic of Korea
DR Congo - Iran - Iraq
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Pakistan - Russia - Saudi Arabia - Somalia
Sri Lanka - Sudan - Syria - Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan - Vietnam - Zimbabwe

http://tinyurl.com/yj979ak

Coming your way 6th April: Changes to prevent asylum applicants from claiming humanitarian protection where there are serious reasons for considering that they have engaged in undesirable behaviour;

New Rules for Tier 1 and Tier 2 and other changes to the Immigration Rules

Home Office press release: Thursday 18th March 2010
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-83NP43

On 6 April the Government will make significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system, as well as to marriage visas for members of the armed forces, asylum and English for Speakers of Other Languages. The changes were announced today by Borders and Immigration.

Minister Phil Woolas.

The Government has accepted changes to Tier 1 recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee

(MAC), and has set out further details of how it will implement changes the MAC recommended to Tier 2.

The changes include new points tables for Tier 1 and Tier 2, a simpler route for very highly skilled workers without Master's degrees, greater flexibility for short-term transfers by multinational companies, and more protection against such transfers being used to fill long-term vacancies that should go to resident workers.

Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

'We've always said that we would run our immigration system for the benefit of the UK and that is what we are doing.

'The changes that we are making today will build on an already robust system which is now the envy of the world. A strength of the points-based system is the flexibility to predict and respond to events.

'By utilising the flexibility of the points-based system we are now ensuring that only those that we need to come to the UK to work can do so.

'I will continue to ensure that immigration does not act as a disincentive for employers to employ and improve the skills of the British workforce.'

These changes are included in the latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, which was laid before Parliament today.

Other changes to the Immigration Rules include:

* changes to prevent asylum applicants from claiming humanitarian protection where there are serious reasons for considering that they have engaged in undesirable behaviour;

* changes to the provisions governing English language qualifications for applicants applying for permanent residence to ensure that applicants relying on qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages will study at accredited colleges, and to clarify the progression which migrants are required to demonstrate before applying for permanent residence;

* clarifying interview procedures for unaccompanied asylum seeking children;

* removing a requirement for an asylum seeker to be asked to sign the interview record due to other safeguards in place;

* lowering the marriage visa age to 18 for serving members of the armed forces and their partners, recognising the role of partners in supporting those on the frontline and reflecting the unique circumstances in which the armed forces operate;

This Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules will be incorporated into a consolidated version of the Immigration Rules. You can find copies of all the Statements of Changes in Immigration Rules issued since May 2003 in the 'Policy and Law' section of this website.

The changes will come into effect on 6 April and 7 April 2010. Applications that are made before the new rules come into effect will be considered under the rules in place on the date of the application.

Those who wish to apply in person should note that the date of their application is the date when they go to the public enquiry office. Applicants should consider this when they book an appointment.

Sanctuary for Amir Sharifi

Amir Sharifi, a national of Iran and resident of Bolton since September 2008, is currently detained in Harmondsworth IRC and due to be forcibly removed form the UK to Iran on British Airways flight BA7531/BD931 direct to Tehran, at 18.30 on Sunday, 21st March, 2010.

What you can do to help:

1) Email/Phone Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer British Airways and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Amir Sharifi. Please download AmirSharifiBA.doc. You can copy, amend or write your own version - if you do please include all the following details: Please do not remove, Amir Sharifi due to be forcibly removed form the UK to Iran on British Airways flight BA7531/BD931 direct to Tehran, at 18.30 on Sunday, 21st March, 2010.

Email: willie.walsh@ba.com

Customer service British Airways Customer Relations

Customer Relations phone: 0844 493 0 787 Monday-Friday 08:00-18:30  (hold line till operator answers)

2) Email/Fax, Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that  Amir Sharifi, be granted protection in the UK. Download "model letter" AmirSharifiAJ.doc which you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include Amir's HO ref S1406763 )

Fax: 020 8760 3132(00 44 20 8760 3132 if you are faxing from outside UK)

Emails: Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk
CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Please notify the Campaign of an Emails/faxes sent:
Friends of Amir Sharifi - nick.mendes@btinternet.com

Backgrouond: On Tuesday, 2nd February, Amir went to Dallas Court Reporting Centre in Manchester, was arrested and subsequently taken to Kidlington IRC. He was due to be deported on Friday, 5th February, but the deportation was stayed at the 11th hour when a court injunction was obtained. He was then moved to Oakington IRC.

On 22nd February Amir was released on bail at a hearing at Taylor Court IAC, London, on condition he resided at 40 Church Lane, Westhoughton, reported weekly to Dallas Court, and presented himself to the Chief Immigration Officer there on 24th March.
On Wednesday, 3rd March, Amir went to Dallas Court, was rearrested and subsequently taken to Oakington IRC. He was due to be deported on Friday, 3rd March, but the deportation was not enforced because of court proceedings scheduled for Monday, 8th March. He was then moved to Harmondsworth IRC.

On Tuesday, 9th March, Amir was taken to Heathrow in anticipation of an adverse judgement and enforcement of removal to Tehran at 18.30 on flight BA7531 / BD931. He was interviewed prior to the flight but declined to sign a statement that he was returning to Iran of his own free will. He was then moved to Harmondsworth IRC.

Amir is a Christian convert from Islam. He first learned about Christianity through an underground church in Tehran, wanted to find out more and so came to the UK on a student visa in 2007. He applied for asylum in August 2008, before expiry of his visa, since he had become convinced of the truth of Christianity and had become a Christian. He was baptised by the Jesus Fellowship Church in August 2008. His asylum application has been refused, seemingly on the grounds that his Christian faith is not genuine but a contrivance in order to gain asylum in the UK. Such a conclusion is unjustifiable given a knowledge of Amir and his lifestyle, and could not be further from the truth.

U.S. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in 2009: Iran
The government's poor human rights record degenerated during the year, particularly after the disputed June presidential elections. The government severely limited citizens' right to peacefully change their government through free and fair elections. The government executed numerous persons for criminal convictions as juveniles and after unfair trials. Security forces were implicated in custodial deaths and the killings of election protesters and committed other acts of politically motivated violence, including torture, beatings, and rape. The government administered severe officially sanctioned punishments, including death by stoning, amputation, and flogging. Vigilante groups with ties to the government committed acts of violence. Authorities held political prisoners and intensified a crackdown against women's rights reformers, ethnic minority rights activists, student activists, and religious minorities. There was a lack of judicial independence and of fair public trials. The government severely restricted the right to privacy and civil liberties, including freedoms of speech and the press, assembly, association, and movement; it placed severe restrictions on freedom of religion.
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/nea/136068.htm

U.S. Report on International Religious Freedom Iran 2009
During the reporting period, respect for religious freedom in the country continued to deteriorate. Government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Baha'is, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, and members of the Jewish community. Reports of government imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religious beliefs continued during the reporting period.
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127347.htm

It is clear from reports that above, non-state religions, are not free to practise their faith openly without fear of persecution and even threat of death as an apostate.

Amir deserves nothing less than to be granted his human right to freedom of religion, and to be allowed to practise his Christian faith openly without the fear of persecution. This would only be possible if he were allowed to remain in the UK.