UK immigration rules allow involvement or refugees in politics
UK Immigration Law Expert Barrister Abu Bakar Siddik Mollah said United Kingdom government may not have a lot to do in extraditing BNP Senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh – as reported by banglanews24.
Besides, there is no barrier to carry on political activities by Tarique. So, he joined a political program, he added.
In dialogue with banglanews, through skype, Barrister Abu Bakar said: “UK Awami League Lawyers Council asked how Tarique, living in Landon under political asylum, can perform political activities here.
While in political asylum, Tarique can engage in earning activities including politics, but he can’t violate the British law, the law the expert added.
According to article-334B of the UK immigration rule, any political refugee can enjoy rights like British citizens. He can involve himself in political activities including business, employment and freedom of expression said Abu Bakar.
Since Tarique is on trial under the law of Bangladesh, regarding Tarique’s deportation Barrister Abu BakarMollah opined, “It is impossible for the UK authorities to send Tarique back home. Country’s judiciary would decide on whether Tarique would be sent back to Bangladesh.”
Regarding the issue of seeking Interpol help for bringing Tarique back, he said, “Yes it possible to take Interpol’s help but the UK government will have to satisfy its judiciary. Otherwise, UK will not be able to send back Tarique.
Already Tarique has successfully made the UK government realise that if he is handed over to Bangladesh, he may be harassed. Hence, the UK cannot send him back.”
According to European Convention Article-6, if there is no possibility to get justice then anyone can’t be forced to go back his/her country, he added.
Barrister Mollah stressed that there is very little chance that Tarique be sent home.
Earlier on June 5, a UK minister said his country’s judiciary would decide on whether BNP senior vice-chairman, Tarique Rahman, would be sent back to Bangladesh upon receiving information about the arrest warrant issued against him.
Responding to a query about the British government’s stand on the issue, their International Development Minister Alan Duncan said: “I appreciate and urge you to understand this would not be a decision for politicians.
“We have an independent judiciary and therefore it is not a question you could sensibly put to a politician, because we are not the people who decide anyway.”
The minister avoided the question when asked if Tarique is seeking political asylum in the UK. “We don’t comment on the individual asylum matter,” he said at a press briefing.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, in a separate press briefing, said the BNP leader is a “non-political person” and termed him a “fugitive.”
Without mentioning the name of the BNP leader, the minister said he signed an undertaking that he would not take part in politics.
When asked what the foreign ministry is doing to bring Tariuqe back to the country through Interpol, she said: “Is he still holding that post? I have read the undertaking [given by Tarique Rahman]. He left the country relinquishing the political post he used to hold.”
“The United Kingdom government has been informed about the arrest warrant, as well as Interpol, so he may be brought back.”
Opposition chief Khaleda Zia’s eldest son Tarique Rahman, who faces at least 16 cases including the August 21 grenade attack case, has been living in London for “medical treatment” since September 2008 when he was released on bail.
He recently made the news on May 20 after addressing a party meeting in an East London hotel where he called party men to wage a tougher movement for toppling the government.
Labelling Tarique a “fugitive”, state minister for law Quamrul Islam said steps would be taken to bring him back to the country.
Just two days after the junior law minister’s comment, a Dhaka court issued a fresh arrest warrant against Tarique in a money laundering case following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The court directed the authorities concerned to bring Tarique back through Interpol.
Source: Dhaka Tribune