Published 16:48 BST
The UK’s High court has ordered the deportation of a number of Tamils to Sri Lanka be halted, after last-minute court injunctions were filed by solicitors citing evidence that they may be tortured upon their return.
Speaking to the Guardian, 3 solicitors’ firms have confirmed that their clients were granted reprieves, with a further 10-12 firms believed to have also submitted injunctions.
Toufique Hossain from Duncan Lewis solicitors told the Guardian,
"We have at least two examples of clients who have independent evidence of torture and have significant mental health problems. We have successfully obtained injunctions in relation to at least three clients stopping their removal on the charter flight scheduled for the 23 October,"
"It is extremely concerning that clients who remain in immigration detention, who have a history of torture and/or mental illness and can also show a history of perceived or actual membership to the LTTE [Tamil Tigers] seem to be routinely put on charter flights".
One ruling saw judge Sir Keith Lindblom state,
"Though I find it hard to think that in the course of the claimant's immigration history his case has not been fairly and thoroughly considered, his grounds raise matters that call for the defendant's [Home Office] response. I am therefore prepared to grant interim relief."
See the report from the Guardian here.