fleeing persecution and starBut now there is increasing evidence that growing numbers are being refused what must be in anyone's book completely necessary treatment. Payment is being demanded up front from some - again something not
And some are not seeking treatment at all because they have heard terrible stories of wilal nappenca to olners
This 1s vet another reason why we need to step up the fight to change the barbaric asylum system - and to save organisations like NCADC which provide essential support to those suffering as a result. Lynne Gregory Mohammad Sultan is currently celebrating the fact that the Home Office have agreed that he can remain in Britain on humanitarian grounds.
Coming from the war torn area around Kabul, Mohammad was caught between tribal based factions of the Taliban and other warlords. Working as a nurse, for many years, with a Swedish humanitarian organisation, he saw many casualties of the war in the region and witnessed many youth brutalised by the situation and turning to drugs and crime to cope with it.
On the other hand Dr Umar Khitab has not been so lucky. He was removed to Afghanistan last month in spite of pleas and protests from MPs, medical consultants, church leaders and his many friends.
His campaign made clear the dangers he would face if he was deported. Umar's father had been killed for political reasons, his wife was killed in military action and his brother was hanged by the Taliban.
Umar had passed his Royal College of Surgeons exam and had been working for the strategic Health Authority
le Midlands for 3 years. F had been accepted for a GP training post but while attending the Solihull Home Office to enquire about progress on his work permit he was spirited away to the Campsfield detention centre near Oxford.
It's a grim place with 20 ft walls topped with barbed wire and doors that close hydraulically before the next one opens. Visitors are searched and photographed. Almost nothing can be taken to the detainees.
Umar said that suicide attempts are frequent- almost daily, and that a 16-year-old Afghan killed himself the day after Umar arrived.
An MP enquiring on behalf of the campaign was told that Umar would not be removed until an appeal was heard but there was no written confirmation.
Late on Friday January 2
he Home Office wrote that say that all appeal documents had been considered and he would be removed the following day as arranged - the same day as news broke of 5000 troops being sent to Afghanistan.
ction against detention ce
res in New South Wale Australia. • For further information contact: [email protected]