AUSTRIA

….GAMBIAN/AUSTRIAN GOV’TS SIGNED A DEAL TO DEPORT ASYLUM SEEKERS

IMMIGRATION DEPUTY DIRECTOR SCREENS GAMBIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS IN AUSTRIA!!!

By An Editor

The Gambian Government has reached a deal with the Austrian Government to deport asylum seekers, a majority of whom are from the Mandingka ethnic group, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. A team of immigration officers, led by Buba Sanyang, widely known as Ziel, recently return to Banjul after they successfully helped to facilitate the deportation of four Gambian asylum seekers in Austria. Among the deportees was Alhagie Ceesay. About thirty more Gambian asylum seekers are currently lined up to be deported to their native country.

The first batch of Gambian deportees were put onboard SN BRUSSEL AIRLINE NO:2910 TO BRUSSEL AND ON TRANSIT FLIGHT ON SN BRUSSEL NO;203,to Banjul International Airport. They were escorted by the Gambian immigration headed by Buba Sanyang. Mr. Sanyang used to be the Immigration OC at the airport.

A highly placed source who was onboard the said flight on May  22^nd 2008 said ,the Deputy Director  of immigration Buba Sanyang  has informed him that they have approved ,almost thirty Gambian asylum seekers  to be deported back to their native country, as soon as possible.

The Gambian Government,  according to sources,  was promised with financial compensation, in the event it helped the Austrian Government to deport Gambian immigrants suspected of making frivolous asylum claims. The Jammeh Government has already received the said funds from the Austrian Government, according to our well trusted sources.

A good number of the immigrants lined up for deportation, came from the majority Mandingka ethnic group, with some Wollofs and Fullas. Immigration sources say no Jolla was included in the list of immigrants lined up for deportation.

Meanwhile, anxiety and worry continues to grip Gambian asylum seekers. One of the asylum seekers, who spoke to the Freedom Newspaper describes the move taken by the Gambian Government as  yet another attempt to discriminates against other tribes.

“ We have well founded case to be granted asylum in Austria. There is no democracy in The Gambia. The Gambian Government is hell bent on killing its opponents. We came here to seek for sanctuary. It’s totally unacceptable for the Austrian Government to reach such a deal with the murderous Jammeh Government. There is no way that our lives would be spared if we land in Banjul. This is an open invitation to allow the Government of Yahya Jammeh to kill us. The Austrian Government should revisit its move. It bothers on human rights.” Said a Gambian asylum seeker in Austria.

 The Gambian asylum seekers want the Austrian Government to discontinue the said deportation plans, as they are likely to be killed if forcefully returned to The Gambia.

“ There are many unresolved murders pending in The Gambia. There is no guarantee that our lives would be saved if forcefully returned. The immigration officers, who came for our colleagues were very hostile. They have been issuing threats against asylum seekers, while in Austria. Another batch are about to be deported.” Said the Gambian asylum seeker.

Poor nations, such as The Gambia, are often corrupted to deny their oppressed citizens, the right to seek protection overseas. They received money in return to facilitate the expedition of the deportation of their nationals.

Due to high  cases of asylum claims, European countries such as Austria are tightening conditions for asylum. According to author Veysel Oezcan “Austria's Parliament has passed a new asylum law that provides for the processing of asylum applications within 72 hours, during which time authorities can immediately reject them or decide to allot time for a closer examination.” 

Author Oezcan also adds that “Although asylum requests have remained fairly stable across Europe in the last year, Austria's share of the total has increased slightly. Based on the data tracked by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, Austria's share of the total has increased from five percent in 2001 to six percent in 2002. In terms of asylum applications lodged, Austria is the fourth-largest asylum-seeker receiving country in the EU, receiving over 36,400 applications in 2002. It follows the UK, Germany, and France. In the last few years, roughly one in five asylum appeals in Austria has been granted.”

Sources close to the Immigration Department in Banjul confirmed the deportation of Gambian asylum seekers from Austria. “ Our Government reached a dirty deal with the Austrian Government to deport our youths. These are innocent Gambians, who left home due to political reasons. It’s sad that the Government is selling its national pride, because of money.” Said an Immigration agent.