UN to investigate claims that British security officers Iraqi officials punched drag asylum seekers off the plane
The United Nations is investigate claims that handcuffed Iraqi asylum seekers were beaten British security officers during charter flight back Baghdad.
As many as 25 of 42 men deported from Heathrow on Wednesday evening were reportedly under detention at Baghdad airport yesterday, despite being screened advance Iraqi officials UK.
Iraqi officials were alleged have boarded when flight touched down early Thursday help security staff employed UK Border Agency (UKBA) punch drag reluctant failed asylum seekers off plane.
The UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has repeatedly condemned Britain other EU countries for returning failed asylum seekers Baghdad, maintaining that Iraq’s central provinces are unsafe. A spokesman, Andrej Mahecic, said UNHCR staff Baghdad had interviewed deportees. “We are looking into accounts these people are making. Fourteen of 42 were interviewed UNHCR UNHCR lawyers Baghdad. The men claim they were beaten while being forced plane. We met six of men saw fresh bruises that indicate mistreatment.”
Those who declined co-operate were handcuffed at Heathrow put aircraft. The accompanying security staff were from firm G4S, employed UKBA enforce deportations. Similar allegations of excessive force have been made past.
“During flight took my seat belt off,” said Abdullah, Kurd north Iraq. “The officers jumped me grabbed me neck so couldn’t breathe. Baghdad dangerous Kurds; people hunt Kurds kidnapping or kill them. When we landed Iraqi officials came plane said that anybody did not come out [voluntarily] ‘we will kick you beat you’.
“Some were scared and went out. Then [British security] officials and Iraqi officers started beating us, saying: ‘This your country. Go back.’” Abdullah, who only wanted give his family name, spoke from friend’s house north Iraq.
The International Federation of Iraqi Refugees monitors deportations said it had text message from some custody: “We’ve been Iraqi since 4.30am [Thursday] but we have been locked up since,” one said. “Twenty-five people one small cell – we can’t breathe. Some seriously ill because of the hunger the heat.”
One deportee, Zed Karam, Baghdad, warned before his departure UK that his life would be at risk. “I had good business in Iraq, didn′t want leave, but had when threatened by sectarian violence.”
Refugee groups fear the mass return marks the start an accelerated programme expulsions. An abortive flight last autumn resulted most deportees being returned UK by angry Iraqi officials. Since then diplomatic negotiations, including giving Iraqi officials unprecedented access interview detainees Britain, have improved co-ordination. Wednesday’s flight was second this month.
Richard Whittell of Coalition Stop Deportations Iraq said: “We fear this shameful act will lead even more deportations … Foreign Office says Iraq not safe travel to, so force Iraqi refugees there?”
A UKBA spokesman said: “We only ever return those who both UK Border Agency and courts satisfied do not need our protection and refuse leave voluntarily. A minimum use of force an absolute last resort and would only ever be used when an individual becomes disruptive or refuses comply. Even then, force only carried out by highly trained officers, and should be carefully monitored and proportionate.”
A G4S spokesman said: “We reject all allegations that Iraqi returnees were mistreated by G4S employees. Our officers highly trained ensure safety both returnees staff will only restrain returnees as last resort, then only in line with policies procedures set out by UKBA.
“We can confirm small number of returnees did not want to disembark in Baghdad; after Iraqi officials came on plane spoke to them, they left aircraft calmly without incident. At no time was any kind of force used against this small group.
“We have conducted an internal investigation into the allegations mistreatment will co-operate with both the UKBA other interested parties any external investigation into this matter.”
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