By Amjad Malik
APL calls for an apology from UK Govt in Asif Rashid’s detention Case.
A Pakistani born Asif Rashid’s removal was halted at eleventh hour when British Charity (RMJ) Refugee and Migrant Justice & his lawyers issued a high court writ under court ref 5412/2010 against home secretary challenging his detention. Asif Rashid is in detention for over 43 months without a charge and was destined to be removed on 10 May at 20:25 via PIA carrier PK786 to Islamabad on the orders of UK border Agency.
Association of Pakistani Lawyers (APL), a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in UK on 4 May took serious note of the detention of Asif Rashid for over 43 months waiting for his removal and in their representations asked for his immediate release from detention as an alternate is available, compensation, treatment, and an apology from British Prime Minister.
Asif Rashid a Pakistani citizen and according to his step sister Azra Akbar (Rochdale) , came to UK on or about 2001 as a visitor. On or about 2 December 2001 the above named claimed asylum and was given temporary admission in the United Kingdom. On 3 December 2001 his asylum application was refused and on 28 December he lodged an appeal, which was dismissed on 25 June 2003. He made various applications between 22 November 2004 which were refused on 7 December 2004. On or about 2006 he was convicted of urinating on the bank of canal whilst suffering an illness and was sentenced to 84 days. He was detained whilst reporting at local reporting centre on 19 October 2006. Since then he is at a removal centre and has never been bailed on chief immigration officer’s orders despite the fact that alternate was available. On or about 8 April travel documents were applied and APL was told that removal directions are set for 10 May via PK786 to Pakistan.
On 4 May 2010, in a letter addressed to Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister and Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary APL chair whilst seeking apology and an enquiry has written that , “It’s ironic that the detained subject was not examined to rule out his psychiatrist illness and or complaints and was not presented to Pakistani authorities after his due date for release and or removal with a view to quick removal. 43 months detention waiting to be removed pose a question on ‘human rights’ claims and compliance of the Govt and it is appalling as it is against the policy and guidelines of Home Office in respect of detention and departmental instructions to home office in respect of detention which warranted review and reconsideration of the above named’s detention. Mr. Malik claimed that Asif Rashid is imprisoned in ‘Removal Centre’ beyond 3 years being an immigrant and a lawful entrant when an alternate was available is breach of his rights (Art.3,5) and said detention amounts to arbitrary detention amounting to ‘inhuman and degrading treatment’.
A British Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Amlan Basu has examined him in detention centre on 7 April and confirmed in his report of 26 April that , “Mr. Rashid would require an intense level of supervision if removed to Pakistan, and would not be able to cope independently”. He further said in his report, “I would advocate that his immigration proceedings are concluded swiftly. It is recognised that the length of the immigration process adversely affects health, and immigration processes that last for more than 2 years more than double the risk of psychiatric disorder.
APL has demanded the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to initiate enquiry into facts as to why the system failed Asif Rashid and he remained in the ‘fast track removal centre’ waiting to be removed for over 43 months when at all times his visitor’s record was available as well as his finger prints, DNA, and Identity documents; and asked the Govt to release him immediately and offer him for medical and psychiatric analysis to address the complaints and his needs; High Court will hear the case in London, and will examine the lawfulness of his detention beyond a limited time frame. Asif Rashid is likely to make a bail application for his release whilst his high court case is pending.
09 May 2010
There are many cases about Pakistanis in foreign countries where the injustice has been done with them, but due to weak govt no action has been taken against that country. Pakistan has no image in the foreign countries, because our govt is begger/corrupt and untrust worthy, that’s why the countries give damn to Pakistan . It is not the Pakistani govt but it is the Pakistanis who suffers a lot in foreign countries.
if a country rulers/dictators can handover their women (Afia Sadiquee) to other countries for dollars then we cant blame these countries for doing injustice to pakistani citizens.I think pakistan;s immaged suffered big time when Musharaf was in Power.But i dont blame musharaf too…..after all he needed a place to hide.
mushraf begarat hy woh to dollars ki khatir apni beti bhi america ko dy deta
ye to pakistani qoum ki beti hy