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‘Iraq is not safe and innocent people should not be put at risk ’

August 15 2005

Refugee Action’s statement in response to the government’s decision to begin forced removals to Iraq:

Refugee Action is deeply concerned about the government’s decision to begin forced removals to Iraq. We understand that large numbers of Iraqi nationals from across the UK have already been detained in preparation for their removal.

Sandy Buchan, chief executive at Refugee Action, said:

“Anyone can see that the situation in Iraq is far from safe. This decision goes against the advice of the Foreign Office which warns against travel to Iraq , while the US State Department warns that terrorists are targeting military and civilian aircraft.

“Most Iraqis want to help rebuild their country when it is safe to return. We know from experience that forcing people back before the situation
is stable does not work.

“We ask the government to reconsider this decision. Iraq is not safe and innocent people should not be put at risk.”

ENDS

If you would like further information please contact Julia Ravenscroft, press officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 233 1956 or juliar@refugee-action.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Travel Advice for Iraq, updated 2 August 2005, still current at 15 August www.fco.gov

In a travel warning, stated as current as of August 3 2005, the United States Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs), states:

“There is credible information that terrorists are targeting civil aviation. Civilian and military aircraft arriving in and departing from Baghdad International Airport have been subjected to small arms and missiles. Civilian aircraft do not generally possess systems, such as
those found on military aircraft, capable of defeating man-portable,
surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS). Anyone choosing to utilize civilian
aircraft to enter or depart Iraq should be aware of this potential threat,
as well as the extremely high risk to road transportation described below.
Official U.S. Government (USG) personnel are strongly encouraged to use
U.S. military or other USG aircraft when entering and departing Iraq due
to concerns about security of civilian aircraft servicing Iraq. Due to
safety and security concerns, U.S. government personnel are not authorized
to travel commercially on Iraqi Airways.”

US State Department http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_921.html

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work, and received 30,000 visits from asylum seekers last year. As one of the country’s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 21 years’ experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees.

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