Local Euro MP calls for asylum for Iraqis working for British Forces

1.50.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Sep 2007

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, Diana Wallis, has called for asylum for Iraqis working for British Forces in an emergency motion debated at the party's Annual Conference in Brighton.

The motion (reproduced in full below) condemns the UK government's failure to give asylum to Iraqis who have served the British Forces.

Says Ms. Wallis:

"We have a moral responsibility to these people, many of whom are now suffering persecution, torture and even death because of their collaboration with and assistance to our forces.

"Meanwhile the government sits on its hands conducting a review, apparently concerned that the full number involved could be 15,000. The brutal truth is that the longer they procrastinate the less there will be."

Ms Wallis, President of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, has been particularly motivated by the situation of linguists, interpreters and translators without whom British forces would not be able to function.

She says:

"I have heard many heart-rending stories but especially of the family of a constituent of mine: the brother worked as an interpreter, his family has fled to Syria and he is in hiding following torture and imprisonment. This is not what they expected when they volunteered to help the allied effort in Iraq."

Ends.

Notes:

Emergency Motion debated at the Liberal Democrat Annual Party Conference, Brighton, Thursday 20th September

Asylum for Iraqi interpreters

Conference believes that the United Kingdom Government has a moral obligation to provide asylum to those Iraqis and their families, whose work for the British forces, particularly as linguists, has left them in fear for their lives and vulnerable to torture and murder.

Conference further notes that other countries involved in the Iraq war, notably Denmark and the USA, have made arrangements to accept such refugees who helped their respective forces;

Conference therefore:

· Urges the UK Government to respond positively to the e-petition on this subject which appeared on the Downing Street website;

· Calls on the UK Government to make immediate arrangements to assist those who have risked their lives and who remain in danger because of their service to British forces.

Diana Wallis MEP

12 September 2007