Government Offers Gay Asylum Seeker £46 to Return Home and Face Execution
Monday 28th April 2008
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A gay asylum seeker from Syria has been offered a cash payment by the UK government to return to his home country, a place where homosexuality is illegal and he faces execution for his sexuality.
Image by Zeledi
The Border Agency placed the value of his life at just £46.
Jojo Jako Yakob is a 19 year-old from Syria. Several years ago he was caught distributing anti-government leaflets in his hometown. He was arrested then jailed, shot and beaten by local police.
Upon discovering that Yakob was a homosexual, guards beat him into a coma. When he awoke he managed to escape to Scotland and file for asylum, but his appeal was rejected and once again the government has ordered a gay man to return to a country where he faces execution for his sexuality.
The Border Agency has been sending Yakob letters asking his permission to repatriate him to Syria immediately without appeal, and offering him £46 "to assist you in reintegrating into your home country. This could be used for example to set up a business, further your education or assist with housing".
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: "This insulting offer shows the scurrilous, immoral nature of the UK Border Agency. The sum of £46 would barely pay one week's rent, never mind help Jojo start a new life.
"The idea that he should risk his life and go back to Syria for £46 is an absolute disgrace. It shows the depth to which the Labour Government is sinking in its desperate bid to pander to racist and xenophobic opinion."
Protesters have organized a campaign to intervene on his behalf with Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith. Protestors have sent letters to Smith and have vowed to hold protests outside the Syrian embassy and the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Parliament may be their best hope of saving Yakob. A measure to support Yakob and immediately cease deportation of gay and lesbian refugees has been introduced in the Holyrood with 23 members currently signed on.
Vote for this story on Digg.
A gay asylum seeker from Syria has been offered a cash payment by the UK government to return to his home country, a place where homosexuality is illegal and he faces execution for his sexuality.
Image by Zeledi
The Border Agency placed the value of his life at just £46.
Jojo Jako Yakob is a 19 year-old from Syria. Several years ago he was caught distributing anti-government leaflets in his hometown. He was arrested then jailed, shot and beaten by local police.
Upon discovering that Yakob was a homosexual, guards beat him into a coma. When he awoke he managed to escape to Scotland and file for asylum, but his appeal was rejected and once again the government has ordered a gay man to return to a country where he faces execution for his sexuality.
The Border Agency has been sending Yakob letters asking his permission to repatriate him to Syria immediately without appeal, and offering him £46 "to assist you in reintegrating into your home country. This could be used for example to set up a business, further your education or assist with housing".
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: "This insulting offer shows the scurrilous, immoral nature of the UK Border Agency. The sum of £46 would barely pay one week's rent, never mind help Jojo start a new life.
"The idea that he should risk his life and go back to Syria for £46 is an absolute disgrace. It shows the depth to which the Labour Government is sinking in its desperate bid to pander to racist and xenophobic opinion."
Protesters have organized a campaign to intervene on his behalf with Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith. Protestors have sent letters to Smith and have vowed to hold protests outside the Syrian embassy and the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Parliament may be their best hope of saving Yakob. A measure to support Yakob and immediately cease deportation of gay and lesbian refugees has been introduced in the Holyrood with 23 members currently signed on.
Vote for this story on Digg.
