Deportation of asylum seekers by Sri Lanka a cause for concern: UNHCR | United Nations Radio

13.8.14

Deportation of asylum seekers by Sri Lanka a cause for concern: UNHCR | United Nations Radio: The agency says it's alarmed by the size and scope of deportations with 88 Pakistanis sent back home since 1 August.

UNHCR Spokesperson Adrian Edwards notes that initially, the deportees were men who had been placed into detention but now whole families are being deported.

"The first case happened on August 3 when a detained man was sent back to Pakistan, followed two days later by his wife and daughter who had picked up from their home. A family of six was sent back last Saturday, followed by another couple and two siblings yesterday. In all, there are now 11 women and eight children among the deported. Some of the latest deportees had their passports and asylum-seeker certificates seized last week. They were told to go to Colombo airport. They were placed on flights from there to Pakistan." (28")