Official delays stop Baha Mousa's father entering Britain

[struggle4progress]

Source: Independent (UK)

Family of hotel worker tortured to death in Army's Basra detention camp are excluded from compensation talks

By Andrew Johnson
Sunday, 29 June 2008

The father of a man beaten to death by British troops in Iraq and seven other Iraqi citizens tortured in the same incident are being denied entry to the UK, where they are due to discuss compensation with the Ministry of Defence ...

"You cannot apply for a visa to the UK from Iraq, so they have had to go Beirut," she said. "That in itself is expensive and difficult. After waiting several weeks in Beirut they still have not got their visas. We don't know whether it will be granted.

"The British government is not making it easy for them. The mediation with the MoD that was due to take place this month has had to be put back, and then completely rescheduled. This has been going on since the beginning of May. Col Mousa tried in 2007 and was refused entry. He is now trying again."

Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers, who also represents the men and has headed their legal campaign, said: "It was an absolute disgrace that the government refused Col Mousa entry to attend the House of Lords hearing into the case – his own case. He was not allowed to come to the court martial of the men accused of beating up his son, either. To exclude him is disgraceful" ...

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/official-delays-stop-baha-mousas-father-entering-britain-856588.html

[jeff30997]

1. "The British government is not making it easy for them."

That is totally disgusting.They should be ashamed. :puke:

[LeftishBrit]

2. Agreed...

and this is supposed to be a 'Labour' government!

[LeftishBrit]

3. OK if I post the link on the UK forum?

I think we should be contacting our MPs over this.

[struggle4progress]

4. Go for it: the more folk that know, the better