Darfuri asylum seekers in the UK
Since 2003, ninety per cent of non-Arab villages in Darfur have been attacked and destroyed by the Sudanese armed forces and their proxies, the Janjaweed militia. An estimated 300,000 Darfuris have been killed and almost three million are internally displaced as a result of this top-level government-orchestrated campaign of ethnic cleansing.
Darfuri people arrive in Britain claiming asylum because they are escaping the ongoing and systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing against their non-Arab groups in Darfur. It is estimated that there are between 3,000 and 4,000 Darfuri asylum seekers in the UK. Many face the threat of deportation and subsequent arrest, torture and even murder by the security services of the Sudanese regime if they are returned home.
Since 2007 the Article 1 team has worked with Darfuri asylum seekers, refugees, human rights NGOs and lawyers. We have developed strong relationships with these groups and can offer quality practical and emotional support, information, advice, and access to lawyers in order to protect the rights of Darfuris. We bring together the Darfuri diaspora to share problems and solutions, and to make their voice heard as a group.
We also have a working relationship with the UK Home Office and Border Agency, getting a hearing by Government officials and achieving tangible results for Darfuris.
Useful links and other organisations that we work with.