Protest Planned In Support Of Afghani Asylum Seeker

A protest demonstration will be held in front of the Ministry of the Interior tomorrow, to show support for an asylum seeker from Afghanistan who is currently hospitalised and facing deportation.

The planners of the event emphasise the fact that neither the Directorate of Immigration nor the Ministry of the Interior have examined his application for asylum, but have instead elected to simply deport him. They encourage everyone to meet in front of the ministry at 11:00 tomorrow, and also to send e-mails to ministry and immigration officials – which they have provided – demanding that his case be given proper consideration.

The decision to deport the refugee is based on the Dublin Regulation, which gives signatory countries the right to deport asylum seekers to their previous point of departure, although these countries are not obligated to do so. However, Article 19 of said regulation also stipulates that government authorities must provide an answer within a year of the asylum application being submitted – and the asylum seeker in question has waited two years for a response.

As reported, upon receiving news of his impending deportation, he went on a hunger strike and refused water. He is now in hospital care.