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Activists back our campaign for Jojo

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Published Date: 30 March 2008
By Kurt Bayer
THE "shocking injustice" against 19-year-old Jojo Jako Yakob, awaiting deportation to Syria where he faces death for being gay, has seen activists join forces to reverse the decision.
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN: Take part in Scotland on Sunday's online petition below

They have set up a new website, www.savejojo.net, urging Scots to lobby their MSPs to sign a motion already put forward to the Scottish Parliament, which w
as highlighted by this newspaper last week.

Leading gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is also backing Scotland on Sunday's campaign.

Jojo fled Syria two years ago after being beaten following arrest for distributing anti-government leaflets.

When prison guards discovered that Jojo, a Christian member of the repressed Kurdish minority in the Arab state, was homosexual, he suffered horrific beatings and was assaulted so badly that he slipped into a coma.

He fled to Scotland but his application for asylum was rejected and
Jojo has been locked away in Polmont Young Offenders Institution, Falkirk, for the past 12 months. He has appealed against a Home Office deportation order and asked top Scottish QC Mungo Bovey to fight his case.

Last night, Tatchell congratulated Scotland on Sunday for its "magnificent campaign to save Jojo's life".

He said: "Deportation is likely to result in his arrest, torture, and possible execution. I urge all your readers to write to their MPs, MSPs, and MEPs, urging the British government to ensure that Jojo is given refuge in this country."

ONLINE PETITION

We, the undersigned, urge the British government to rescind the deportation order against Jojo Jako Yakob and grant him asylum to stay in this country. We believe it would be an act of inhumanity to force his return to Syria, where it is almost certain he would be tortured and even killed on account of his sexuality.

Leave your name and/or comment below

• Sign the petition at www.savejojo.net.





Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 29 March 2008 9:46 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

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30/03/2008 11:34:40
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

FLUB,

a rocky outcrop in eastern central Scotland 30/03/2008 11:54:20
This paper would have more credibility if it led a campaign agaist crime, pensioner poverty or low wages. How does a 19 year old determine he is exclusively a sodomite - he was beaten (wrongly by our standards) in a country where sodomy is a crime. Albeit he was locked up for sedition. This claim of being 'gay' is nothing more than an opportunist move to escape his just desserts in Syria - if you can't do the time, don't do the crime, son.
3

Mrs.D,

Fraserburgh 30/03/2008 22:01:20
I totally support your paper in fighting this injustice and sincerely hope Jojo is not deported.Surely Scots are proud people who would wish to end intolerance?
4

Michael Woods,

Glasgow 23/06/2008 20:43:13
I find it absolutely ridiculous that Jojo Yakob has been given so much support in his quest to remain in the UK. My reasons for this are:
1) He entered the UK illegally, when he had ample opportunity to seek international protection in the first safe country he entered after leaving Syria.

2) He is a failed asylum seeker, who was deemed not to be credible.

3) He was recommended for deportation by a sheriff due to the seriousness of the crime he committed.

4)The campaign to have the deportation order revoked has cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

5)He faces further charges of theft/fraud and will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court later this year. He is accused of stealing £5000 from an Asian Gentleman from Edinburgh.

I ask viewers to this site to think very carefully before offering their support to this criminal.

Is this the sort of person we really want to stay in the UK.

I think not!!!!!!!
5

Michael Woods,

Glasgow 23/06/2008 21:00:19
I find it absolutely ridiculous that Jojo Yakob has been given so much support in his quest to remain in the UK. My reasons for this are:
1) He entered the UK illegally, when he had ample opportunity to seek international protection in the first safe country he entered after leaving Syria.

2) He is a failed asylum seeker, who was deemed not to be credible.

3) He was recommended for deportation by a sheriff due to the seriousness of the crime he committed.

4)The campaign to have the deportation order revoked has cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

5)He faces further charges of theft/fraud and will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court later this year. He is accused of stealing £5000 from an Asian Gentleman from Edinburgh.

I ask viewers to this site to think very carefully before offering their support to this criminal.

Is this the sort of person we really want to stay in the UK.

I think not!!!!!!!

 

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