Immigration Solicitors

Asylum seekers who were returned to their country of origin have been paraded before a court in their native Sri Lanka, the Daily Mail reports.

Australia’s government is currently under scrutiny for processing Sri Lankan asylum seekers at sea and returning them to the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy without having taken them ashore.

It is reported 41 asylum seekers returned to Sri Lanka have faced charges in their native country, including charges of leaving the country illegally. Five of the group remain in custody in Sri Lanka, while 27 were granted bail. Nine children were released. The Sri Lankan government had agreed that the group would not be persecuted if returned to Sri Lanka

Despite international protests over Australia’s stance on asylum, Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said that his government will not be “blackmailed” on asylum policy.

Mr Abbott was responding to claims that nine Sri Lankan women had attempted suicide on Christmas Island over fears of what would happen to their children. The women believed that if their children were made orphans, they would be allowed to stay in Australia.

The UK government has in the past battled to return failed asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka. In 2012, a High Court judge took six hours to refuse an application that would have allowed a plane carrying failed asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka to turn around and head back to the UK. The judge ruled the application be referred to the Court of Appeal.

An earlier hearing had granted a stay of removal on the grounds that the safety of an individual being deported from the UK back to Sri Lanka could not be guaranteed.

Failed asylum seekers being returned to Sri Lanka say they face torture if sent back – claims backed by campaign groups Human Rights Watch and Freedom from Torture.


Duncan Lewis Immigration Lawyers

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers are able to advise asylum seekers and refugees on their legal rights under UK immigration law – and regularly handle asylum applications and appeals in the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal to first Tier Tribunal (immigration and asylum chamber) and the High Court.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors can also advise on issues such as illegal entry to the UK – as well as advising on detention at an immigration centre, pending deportation from the UK.

Duncan Lewis has more than 190 specialist immigration lawyers – and is ranked among the top immigration law firms in the UK.

For expert legal advice on immigration and asylum in the UK, contact Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent help with UK immigration and asylum law, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.