Following the protest on campus regarding the deportation of Hicham “Hich” Yezza, a member of University staff in the School of Modern Languages, former student and active member of the Students’ Union, I feel it is important to clarify what the Students’ Union has been doing on this issue.
As a Students’ Union we share a number of the concerns which have been raised in the local press and by some of our members regarding the process which is being used to deport Hich. Hich was arrested under the Immigration Act last week and has since been interred within a detention centre in London.
Hich was originally due for a hearing on Wednesday 16th July. This process has, however, been sped-up by the authorities and Hich now faces an “emergency deportation” back to his native Algeria within the week. As a Students’ Union we are concerned that due process may not have been followed in this case and that Hich and his defence team may have been hindered by the decision of the authorities to speed his case up.
As a result of our concerns we wrote a letter on Tuesday 27th May to both Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, and Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration, urging them to review the way this case has been handled and calling for Hich to have the full opportunity to defend himself in court. We understand that the University Vice-Chancellor has also written to the Home Office expressing the concerns of the University on this matter.
Students who share these concerns should contact their local MP, Alan Simpson, at:
Students are also encouraged to write to Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, at:
indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or to fax a letter of concern to her at 020 8760 3132. There is a fax machine available to use at the Students' Union Reception in the Portland Building.
Gerald Bates
Students’ Union President 2007/08