Documents Contradict Immigration’s Contentions

A recently deported Iraqi asylum seeker is only 16-years-old, new documentation shows, contradicting assertions from the Directorate of Immigration (UTL) that he is an adult.

Ali Nasir, an asylum seeker from Iraq, was amongst those dragged from church by police and sent on a plane to Norway last week. There, he sits in jail with other Iraqi asylum seekers, and will in all likelihood be sent back to his home country.

The deportation has sparked considerable criticism, not least of all because Ali’s friends and supporters have pointed out that he is only 16-years-old. UTL, however, has contended that he is over the age of 18. The difference is crucial, as a whole other set of regulations must be applied to child asylum seekers in particular.

Stundin now reports that they have received copies of Ali’s passport in Iraq from his parents. These scans were translated by Arabic speakers, who pointed out that this official documentation lists Ali’s birthday as Feburary 9, 2000 – making him only recently turned 16 years of age.

According to international law, child asylum seekers must be granted special legal assistance by the state in arguing their case for asylum with authorities.