Afghanistan is rated the *second weakest state in the world, lacking the capacity to establish and maintain political institutions, secure their population from violent conflict, control their territories and meet the basic needs of their population.

Zaman has been in the United Kingdom since 2002, he has lived in Birmingham for the last four years. When he fled from Afghanistan in fear of his life. He was initially granted one year to leave to remain. When he applied for an extension of this, he was refused. At the appeal hearing, the adjudicator said that he found him to be an entirely credible witness and commended his efforts to support himself and build a new life in the United Kingdom- however; the adjudicator felt that he could go and use his talents in Afghanistan. This was ignoring the fact that Zaman had already worked for several international agencies in Afghanistan- but this had not prevented him from being targeted by both the Taliban and the new government.

He had been forced to leave his family behind, believing that without him they would be safe from his enemies. He has not seen his children for five years.

Since arriving in the United Kingdom, and obtaining the right to work, Zaman has never claimed any form of benefit. He is well-educated and fluent in six languages. He has worked as a professional interpreter for Social Services, the NHS and the Refugee Council. He has also worked as a college tutor of ESOL and has been instrumental in advising and developing a successful business. He has integrated extremely well into the community, has many friends from different cultures, and has helped many people for whom English is not their first language with the process of integration and studying for the Life in the UK test.

Ever since his fresh claim for asylum was submitted in August 2006, Zaman has been tirelessly petitioning the Home Office for the right to work in the United Kingdom. He felt strongly that he should not be a burden on this country and he wanted to be able to continue giving something back to the country that had offered him refuge.

Since November 2007, Zaman has been signing weekly at Solihull Midlands Enforcement Unit. Last Thursday, 28th February he was detained there by Immigration Officials and told that his fresh claim for asylum had been certified and that he was to be removed to Afghanistan on March 3rd. His solicitor had not even been informed of this. Zaman was then taken to Manchester Airport Removals Centre, where he was there able to contact his solicitor, and his friends, to let them know what had happened to him.

On 29 February 2008, America's top intelligence official has admitted that after six years of US-led military support and billions of pounds in aid, security in Afghanistan is "deteriorating" and President Hamid Karzai's government controls less than a third of the country, Mike McConnell testified in Washington that Karzai controls about 30% of Afghanistan and the Taliban 10%, and the remainder is under tribal control.

Despite the above evidence of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the danger to those who are perceived as without political support or who have become 'Westernised', the Home Office refuse to believe that Zaman would be in danger if returned to Afghanistan. His solicitors have made fresh representations detailing the danger he faces, and the immense contribution he has made since he has been in the United Kingdom. These have been ignored, along with other evidence he has been able to obtain, and he has been told he will be deported.
Zaman knows that he will have no protection or redress if he is returned to Afghanistan.

Zaman speaks fluent English. He has contributed to the economy of this country. He is a skilled and determined individual. He is a taxpayer. He has never claimed benefits. He has no criminal record. He has integrated fully, and contributed to the community.

What you can do to Help: All day to day Monday 3rd March and all day tomorrow Tuesday 4th March

1. Fax/Email, Christoph Von Saldern, Managing Director Hamburg International Airlines asking them not to carry Zaman Ahmed Zahin. Model letter HamburgInternationalZAZ.doc attached that you can copy/amend/write your own version, if you do, please remember to include the following information: Forced Removal of Zaman Ahmed Zahin on Hamburg International Airlines 'Ethnic charter flight' for UK Home Office 'Operation Ravel' to Afghanistan on March 4th 2008 from the UK to Baku for onward transit to Kabul.

Fax: 00 4940 5005 0111

Email:  contact@hamburg-international.de

2. Fax the Rt Hon Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration asking that Zaman Ahmed Zahin is allowed to stay in the UK. Model letter LiamByrneZAZ.doc attached that you can copy/amend/write your own version, if you do; please remember to include their Home Office Reference Number Z1030285

Fax: 020 8760 3132/ from outside UK+ 44 020 8760 3132

Please notify the campaign of any faxes sent:
Zaman Ahmed Zahin Must Stay
C/o Dave Stamp /  admin@asirt.org.uk
End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
Zaman Ahmed Zahin Must Stay Campaign

*Washington-based Brookings Institution and the Center for Global Development ranked 141 developing countries according to their performance in four core areas -- economic, political, security and social welfare. [Afghanistan came second]
Index of State Weakness in the Developing World
 http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/02_weak_states_index.aspx