At the same time the government is allowing 2,000 Iraqis (and had to be shamed into that) who worked for UK occupation forces to come to the UK it is determined to deport other Iraqis already here. They pretend they do not send people into dangerous situations yet-
Foreign and Commonwealth website paints a different picture:
We advise against all travel to Baghdad and its surrounding area, the provinces of Basra, Maysan, Al Anbar, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, Wasit, Babil, Ninawa and At-Tamim (At-Tamim is often referred to as “Kirkuk Province”). We also advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Al Qadisiyah, Muthanna, Najaf, Karbala, and Dhi Qar. The security situation in Iraq remains highly dangerous with a continuing high threat of terrorism throughout Iraq, violence and kidnapping …”As does the recent appeal from the UNHCR for EU countries to provide more support for Iraqi refugees.
NCADC has been reliably informed that an “Ethnic Charter Flight” to Iraq is planned for 19:00hrs on Thursday of this week (27th March 2008). We now know of 39 people in Campsfield, Colnbrook and Oakington, who are likely passengers on this flight. There are known to be 39 refused asylum seekers from Iraq in detention and facing forced removal to Iraq tomorrow Thursday 27th March; 30 in Campsfield, 5 in Colnbrook and 4 in Oakington. We suspect the actual number detained is much higher.
What you can do:
Send urgent faxes/emails immediately to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that all those Iraqi’s currently detained are released and granted protection in the UK. Download model letter Iraqi’sJS.doc which you can copy/amend/write your own version.Fax: 020 8760 3132 If you are faxing from outside UK – Fax: 20 8760 3132
Email: jacqui.smith@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
2) As this is a general issue, you should also contact your local MP
Please notify campaign of any faxes/emails sent:
Swansea Campaign for Asylum Justice
C/o Flat 4 Brockley Court
103 St Helen’s Avenue
Swansea
SA1 4NW
Tel No: 0845 345 5768
scaj.iraq1@ntlworld.comSource for this page:
Swansea Campaign for Asylum Justice (ht2 Chicken Yoghurt)
Sadly the government has in part responded to the campaign to give asylum to Iraqi’s who worked for the UK forces in the narrowest terms. What had to be called for is asylum for any Iraqi, for example Syria has taken in around a million refugees and they weren’t responsible for the war that created the crisis. The call needs to be- asylum for those request it, no deportations of Iraqis- until the home secretary would be happy to go on a caravanning holiday around Iraq… without a platoon of body guards in an armoured column & 4 helicopter gunships giving dedicated close air supoport. If the price for asylum is in-country collaboration with the occupiers then that is an unholy a bargain as any offered by the militias.
Ten Percent 
26 March, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I’ve just been in the process of writing to a couple of our esteemed representatives. I’ll try and remember to add Jacqui Smith to the list.
26 March, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Splendid, the first one has bounced although it makes it to the home office then her account rejects it. So I added the second general email. There is also the usual blather about going through your local MP but I suspect on fast moving events that is a custom they prefer as it slows down access.
27 March, 2008 at 7:23 am
The argument that Syria gives Iraq refugees asylum is strong.
27 March, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Well yes, at the very least we should be taking our share and sending funds to help the refugees in Syria. But I think the trick they are trying to pull off here is war without consequences domestically (much like Bush saying people should go shopping). If people back home don’t feel too inconvenienced by the war they won’t think about opposing it. Large numbers of Iraqi refugees in Britain would impinge on that strategy. It’s hugely cynical and utterly inhumane.