Sanctuary for Yakob

Published on Saturday 15 March 2008 18:46

BRITAIN is supposed to be a civilised country. Scotland, in particular, revels in a reputation as a welcoming place. If our claim to these two national traits means anything, then we must allow Jojo Jako Yakob a sanctuary in our land.

The son of a Syrian opposition politician, Yakob claims he was initially terrorised by the authorities for political reasons, including electric shock treatment and culminating in a police officer shooting him in the arm. He then describes the water torture and daily beatings he endured when prison guards realised he was gay. Syria says it does not persecute homosexuals, but one beating left Yakob in a coma for 20 days. Faced with the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence, he understandably decided that his only option was to flee. He made it to Britain, where he now awaits possible deportation in Polmont.

In many ways, Yakob's story mirrors that of Iranian Mehdi Kazemi, 19, who last week won a delay over a deportation order that, campaigners insist, would see him executed in his homeland for being gay. While it is not so clear-cut that Yakob faces the death penalty in Syria, he would at least face brutal persecution, and he deserves the same efforts to keep him safe in Britain.

We therefore urge readers to back our campaign in Yakob's support: sign our online petition; make your feelings known to MPs, MSPs and anyone else in authority who will listen. Let's show Yakob – and the world – that he was right to regard Scotland as a haven from oppression.