Refugee who stitched face wins asylum case

An Iranian man who sewed up his eyes, lips and ears shut in protest at the threat of deportation has won his battle to stay in Britain.

But Abas Amini has vowed to continue his hunger strike from his home in Nottingham for the sake of other refugees, despite warnings from doctors that he will die.

His supporters said an independent appeal tribunal yesterday rejected the British Home Office case against Mr Amini, ruling that he had the right to asylum.

The 33-year-old Kurdish dissident began a hunger strike last Tuesday after learning that the government was seeking a judicial review of his successful asylum application and is not content to end his hunger strike even though he’s won his case.

He told the Independent newspaper: “If anything it has saddened me because I feel guilty about other friends and supporters.

“I will continue. I do this because of what is happening to other asylum seekers.”

He wants the British Home Office to review its policy towards all asylum appeals and the right to remain in the UK guaranteed for people who have come from countries like Iran or Afghanistan.

He says he is prepared to die for the cause and has not eaten or drunk anything for seven days.

Up to 200 people including members of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees and human rights campaigners were at the property in Sneinton, Nottingham, yesterday to demonstrate their support for Mr Amini.

The father of two was jailed in Iran for writing poems criticising the ruling Islamic regime.

He claimed he would face torture if he returned home.

Doctors at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture in London said he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and was psychologically damaged, possibly as a result of torture.

Supporters said he took the drastic action of stitching up his face after enduring lengthy delays and problems in processing his application after his arrival in the UK in August 2001.

His situation was made worse by having his state benefit cut for about six months and hearing that the British government was appealing against the decision to let him stay, they added.

Sam Azad has said that Mr Amini’s circumstances were similar to those of thousands of other refugees seeking residence in the UK.