The UK Border Agency went ahead with a mass deportation to Sri Lanka this week. Legal challenges delayed the flight, and some people were removed from the plane, but eventually it took off. It is believed that at least 30 of the 50 people given removal directions were onboard.
This week, UK charity Freedom From Torture expressed grave concerns about the fate of Sri Lankans forcibly removed from the UK, particularly Tamils.
NCADC has spoken with relatives of people returned on the last flight in June. All are too frightened to be identified, for fear of reprisals, but many spoke of returnees being detained and interrogated in Colombo.
Last year, there were reports of returned refugees being tortured, and Freedom From Torture believes this persecution may still be going on. This is particularly worrying in light of the UK Border Agency passing on confidential asylum court documents to the Sri Lankan authorities.
Despite the flight going ahead, NCADC is continuing this campaign. To help challenge future deportations to Sri Lanka, we are working with others to gather information on what happens to those returned. If you have any information that may help, please get in touch.
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