Media reports UKBA is planning mass removal of Tamils to Sri Lanka next week, as Freedom from Torture releases new briefing with evidence of torture of previous returnees
A new Freedom from Torture briefing highlights what it says is "shocking evidence of torture" of Sri Lankan Tamils returned from the UK.
Freedom from Torture says that after arriving back in Sri Lanka, a group of 24 returnees say they were targeted for detention and torture due to a real or perceived association with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and, in many cases, their alleged support for the LTTE whilst in the UK or even just their knowledge of LTTE activity in the UK.
The briefing comes as The Guardian reports that the UK is to go ahead with a mass removal of Tamils back to Sri Lanka next week.
Despite concerns raised by media and human rights groups, The Guardian says the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is believed to be planning its biggest removal yet of Tamils, with two or possibly three flights leaving on successive days. David Mepham, the UK head of Human Rights Watch, said the organisation had documented a series of cases of returned Tamils facing mistreatment.
The Independent is also reporting on the story, saying it has learnt that the UKBA has commissioned as many as three separate charter flights to remove more than 300 people next week. Removal directions have been sent out to a numerous evictees stating that two of the flights will take off on Wednesday, with a third planned for Thursday.
Shivani Jegarajah of Renaissance Chambers has posted information on the Free Movement blog on legal steps to take for any Sri Lankan detainees without solicitors.
A stand-by group of barristers at Renaissance Chambers are said to be ready to provide further legal advice, including advising solicitors in respect of filing and drafting. Full contact details are provided on the Free Movement blog.