Time Running Out For Azim
Asylum seeker Azim Ansari, who is still in Oxford, even though the two-month deadline in which he could apply for voluntary leave to remain has run out.
Asylum seeker Azim Ansari remains in Oxford, even though the two-month deadline in which he could apply for voluntary leave to remain has run out. The Home Office can now deport Azim and his brother Wali, who lost their final appeal on 5th January. Azim told The Oxford Student: “I am not sure what is happening next as I haven’t heard anything from the Home Office about deportation.” Ansari hopes the Home Office might be using its discretionary power and have decided not to deport him.
It is still possible for Azim to return to Oxford as a foreign student, but to do this he would first need to return to his native Afghanistan in order to apply for the relevant visa. St John’s College is still prepared to cover his tuition fees if necessary. Azim could also apply for a marriage visa, as his wife Becky is a British national. However, neither option would allow his brother Wali to remain in the country as well.
The ‘Keep Azim in Oxford’ Campaign held a number of events last term, including a debate at the Oxford Union and a rally on Broad Street. The organisation continues to be hopeful about Azim’s future. Campaign manager Emma Jones told The Oxford Student: “Despite the date having expired, their lawyer has informed us that the Home Office is unlikely to act while an MP – in this case, Dr Evan Harris – remains involved with the case.
“Only the direct intervention of [Home Office Ministers] Charles Clarke or Des Browne will grant Azim and Wali a further period of exceptional leave to remain. “We appeal to them again to intervene at once, as they are empowered to do, in the interests of justice and humanity, and end the brothers’ long agony of suspense.” If re-elected, Harris will propose an Early Day Motion in Parliament in an attempt to maintain pressure on the Government.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Students has passed a motion of solidarity with Azim after Jones spoke about his case at their annual conference. Jones asked delegates to “back your universities’ and colleges’ determination to conquer racism and fascism in all its forms”.
The conference also resolved to lobby the Government on behalf of all students facing deportation, to work with the National Assembly Against Racism and the Refugee Council to defend asylum rights, and to press for Britain to remain a full signatory to the Geneva Convention.
21st Apr 2005