One Iraqi asylum seeker’s hope for help from on high has been denied, and his deportation to Norway – and from there, likely to Iraq – will continue as planned.
As reported, Ahmed Kamel al-Rubaie, originally from Iraq, fled the country and sought asylum in Norway in 2008. However, authorities there denied him refugee status. Rather than face deportation to Iraq – where he claims his life is in danger – he came to Iceland in November 2011 to apply for asylum here.
Icelandic authorities have since rejected his application for asylum, citing the Dublin II Regulation, which allows – but does not require – nations to deport asylum seekers back to their previous point of departure.
While Ahmed has pleaded for mercy, saying his life would be in danger in Iraq and he has an employer in Iceland ready to hire him (asylum seekers are not permitted to work), Icelandic authorities ruled to send him to Norway. He then appealed the matter to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
RÚV reports that the ECHR has denied hearing Ahmed’s case. As such, he will be deported to Norway as scheduled. From there, he will likely be sent to Iraq.
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