ASYLUM FOR IRAQI INTERPRETERS (Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats)

Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats <info@scarboroughandwhitbylibdems.org.uk>

ASYLUM FOR IRAQI INTERPRETERS

September 26, 2007 4:31 PM

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the Labour Government to grant asylum to Iraqis whose work for the British has put their lives in danger.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell condemned the Labour Government's approach as "utterly unacceptable and morally unsustainable". He said:

"There is rightly fury and indignation from soldiers who have served alongside these people in Iraq. One tells of an interpreter whose wife and family had a gun held to their heads by the militia and ordered to leave the country within three days. Yet he was immediately turned down for refugee status."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Moore said: "There is a clear moral obligation to provide asylum for those Iraqis, particularly interpreters, whose work has left them extremely vulnerable to torture and murder. We cannot turn our backs on those who are at risk because of the assistance they gave British forces."

Tony Blair decided not to grant asylum to the interpreters. The new Prime Minister has announced a review into how the translators are treated but the Defence Secretary has said a decision may not be taken for months.

Three ways you can help

1. Lobby your MP by visiting writetothem.com

2. Follow this link to our petition: http://ourcampaign.org.uk/interpreters

3. Help cover the cost of promoting this campaign online - contact your

local party to find out how to make a donation