LET NIZAM KILIC STAY IN THE UK!

LET NIZAM KILIC STAY IN THE UK!

Nizam, who is Turkish Kurdish, was detained by Immigration when he went to sign with them on 7 February 2007. After being taken to the Dover Removal Centre for a few days, it was agreed that he would be released provided he abide by certain restrictions. He has now been electronically tagged, placed under regular curfew and has to report to the Immigration officer every Wednesday.

Nizam, who is 29, was born in a small village called Karakocan, Turkey. He and his brother, Savas, fled the country because of repression from the Turkish authorities. A close member of his family was killed by them. They claimed asylum because of persecution for political reasons. Savas, as well as five cousins, have already been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain but Nizam has been repeatedly refused asylum. Eight years have passed without his securing legal and humanitarian rights.

Nizam is a warm and friendly personality who is a well-liked member of the Rye community where he has run a successful business for many years in Landgate. Over the years he has developed a good rapport with both customers and residents living locally.

As he says in his own words: I came here when I was 21 and have been working hard at my take-away business in Rye.

We are wondering if it is appropriate for a hard-working and well-established member of the community like Nizam to have to be tagged like a common criminal. He has been a model citizen and should be allowed his freedom.

Nizam has been an active member of the Kurdish community in Sussex with links to organisations in London.

The local MP for Hastings and Rye, Michael Foster, who has met Nizam in the past, supported him by writing to the court authority in London.

Nizam was arrested and imprisoned twice in Turkey because of his activities. He thought that by coming to the UK he would be protected under international law.

People of Kurdish ethnicity living in Turkey do not have the same basic rights as Turks and their culture and language is not recognised by the Turkish authorities. People living in the village where Nizam comes from are very active politically and he and his family were always involved. The Turkish army often put pressure on the villagers of Karakocan to leave and relocate elsewhere. In the past they have emptied as many as 3,000 villages in the south eastern region of the country.

Since Nizam left Turkey, nothing much has changed for Kurds and he does not think it would be safe for him to return. We believe he would be in danger if he was deported.

Please show your support for Nizam by signing his petition.

Thank you.