Ahern urged not to deport Serbian family of seven

MORE THAN 1,200 people have signed a petition urging Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern not to deport a Serbian family based in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, who say they fear persecution because of their ethnic background.

The couple, who have five children and who have lived in Ireland since May 2004, are members of the Ashkali ethnic community, a minority group often confused with Roma.

They have told the department that two male relatives were beaten up, thrown in a river and died from their injuries in February 2004 and that they were forced to flee Serbia because of continuous intimidation and physical attacks.

The family was issued with a deportation order on November 13th after its applications for subsidiary protection and for leave to remain on humanitarian grounds were turned down by the department.

The family, who do not wished to be identified for fear of repercussions if they were sent home, were due to be deported on December 2nd, but an application on behalf of the youngest child, a two-year- old boy born in this country, is pending before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. They are now required to report to the authorities on January 20th.

According to local Independent county councillor John Kelly, the family are very integrated in the Ballaghaderreen community and have widespread local support.

A petition signed by 1,215 local people was recently delivered to the Department of Justice and a spokesman said it had been brought to the attention of the Minister. He said the department would make no further comment.

Mr Kelly said it was the department's case that the family would not face torture or persecution if returned to Serbia, but the couple were fearful for their safety and that of their children.

Valerie Hughes, a former spokeswoman for the Kosovo Ireland Solidarity group, who has campaigned on the family's behalf, said the father was a diabetic and suffered from heart problems while both he and his wife had received psychiatric care as a result of the mental stress they suffered. Ms Hughes also expressed concern that new Immigration and Residency Bill would not make provision for the granting of humanitarian leave to appeal.