Tuesday August 27, 2024
The UK tribunal blocked the man’s deportation due to a lack of addiction treatment in Somalia.
Colnbrook, one of two immigration removal centres at Heathrow airport
London, UK (HOL) — A Somali-born man with a decades-long criminal record has successfully avoided deportation from the United Kingdom after arguing that returning to Somalia would exacerbate his drug addiction.
The 54-year-old, identified only as AF for legal reasons, has a criminal record spanning 32 years, including convictions for robbery, burglary, and the distribution of cocaine and heroin. He first entered the UK as a visitor in 1989 as a 19-year-old and later sought asylum.
Despite AF’s extensive criminal history, the Home Office has twice attempted to deport him, citing his repeated offences as grounds for removal. However, during a recent tribunal hearing in London, AF argued that his deportation would lead to a severe relapse in his addiction due to the lack of adequate drug treatment facilities in Somalia.
In her ruling, Judge Rebecca Owens sided with AF, stating that his dependency on drugs would cause him to suffer significant distress and erratic behaviour if he were forced to withdraw without access to methadone, a treatment that AF claimed is not available in Somalia. Judge Owens also noted that AF’s limited proficiency in Somali and his Westernized lifestyle would hinder his ability to secure employment, housing, and basic necessities, potentially leaving him destitute.
Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing a high. It’s commonly prescribed to individuals addicted to drugs like heroin or painkillers as part of a recovery plan. Without methadone, those dependent on opioids can suffer severe withdrawal, increasing the risk of relapse and erratic behaviour.
“Without access to methadone, he will not be thinking rationally, and his inability to secure a livelihood would prevent him from supporting himself and avoiding destitution,” Judge Owens said in her decision.
AF, who was most recently sentenced to 28 months in prison for his crimes, expressed fear that he would quickly relapse into drug use if returned to Somalia, where he could easily access drugs and struggle to adjust to the unfamiliar environment.
Somalia’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the area of addiction treatment, is limited, with few resources available for those battling drug dependency. Methadone, which is necessary for treating opioid addiction, is generally unavailable. This was a key factor in the tribunal’s decision to allow AF to remain in the UK on human rights grounds.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Somalia is not a major producer of opioids. Still, it serves as an illegal transit point for opiates such as heroin, tramadol and pethidine. Efforts to curb drug abuse, such as seizing shipments and closing non-compliant pharmacies, have had limited success due to weak enforcement and a thriving black market.
