CALL TO STOP DEPORTATION OF GAY IRAQI MAN

A British Member of Parliament has called for a halt on the deportation of a gay Iraqi man living in North London. Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat MP for Brent in London, believes that the man will be killed by religious Iraqi militia if he is sent back.

Her concerns were brought about by a recent report by Human Rights Watch, which exposed the rising levels of homophobic violence from militia groups in the country, and claimed that the international community is not doing enough to stop the attacks.

“Human Rights Watch have shown that the situation for gay men in Iraq is horrific. Persecution, barbaric violence and killing is a daily fact of life for gay Iraqis. This is exactly the life of fear that the UK government is proposing for my constituent,” Teather said in a statement.

“In light of this deeply distressing report, Immigration Ministers must show some basic humanity and reverse the decision to deport my constituent.”

The gay Iraqi man, whose identity has been kept hidden to protect his safety, was set to be deported in February. His lawyers, however, won a judicial review and the case is currently being considered by Home Office ministers. He originally applied for asylum in 2001.