Hundreds of asylum seekers who were deported upon the rejection of their application were allegedly verbally and physically abused by British teams escorting them to their home countries, the Independent newspaper reported yesterday.
Citing a dossier of more than 200 cases compiled by a combination of legal firms, doctors, campaign groups and immigration centers, the newspaper said that in nearly every case, the allegations were made against private security companies contracted by the government to carry out enforced removals.
A spokesman for the UK's Border and Immigration Agency, which contracts companies to help deport asylum seekers whose applications are rejected, was quoted as saying by the newspaper: "Any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and all allegations of physical and racial abuse are referred to the police."
The paper said that, of the three companies approved by the government to carry out forced removals, Group4Securicor said it was aware of the complaints but noted that nothing had been proven.
Group4Securicor said that it condemned such abuses.
The other two companies, International Training Academy and GEO, both declined to comment on the report when contacted by the Independent.
Among the cases that the newspaper cited was that of Armand Tchuibeu, a Cameroonian national who claimed asylum in Britain in February 2000, only to have his application denied last year.
When he was collected to be deported in January this year, he was handcuffed by guards who were assigned to escort him to his home country.
Tchuibeu reportedly told the guards that such measures were unnecessary, as he had no intention of protesting his removal, at which point he alleges that the guards held his arms and while another guard punched him in his ribs and on his neck.
According to the Independent, Tchuibeu alleged a guard told him: "You will go to your fucking country today, we will fucking show you what illegal people deserve in our country."
Tchuibeu was transferred back to Cameroon last month and no police charges have been filed following an investigation.
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