Death of Sudanese Asylum-seeker
amnesty
international, public statement, 3 June 1999
Federal
Republic of Germany
Death of
Sudanese Asylum-seeker
Amnesty International today
expressed concern about the tragic death of Aamir Ageeb, a 30-year old Sudanese
asylum-seeker, who died on the evening of 28 May 1999 during an attempt to forcibly
deport him from Frankfurt am Main airport, Germany. Amnesty International is
extremely concerned that Aamir Ageeb may have died as a direct or indirect result
of his treatment by three officers of the German border police.
Amnesty International believes
that it is the responsibility of the German government to ensure that deportations
are carried out in accordance with international standards and in a manner which
respects the human rights of the deportees.
Aamir Ageeb was escorted
by three police officers to Frankfurt am Main airport on the evening of 28 May,
to be put on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Cairo and then on to Khartoum.
Before departure Aamir Ageeb’s arms and legs were reportedly bound by
the police officers and a helmet placed on his head when he resisted deportation.
After he was placed in a seat by the police officers, he allegedly continued
to struggle. The police officers are then reported to have forced the detainee’s
head between his knees and kept him in this position until the aeroplane had
taken off.
After take-off Aamir Ageeb
stopped struggling and was pulled upright by the police officers. When the helmet
was removed from his head the police officers noticed that he had stopped breathing.
Several doctors on the aeroplane attempted in vain to revive him.
Amnesty International believes
that unless legislation and regulations are enacted to provide safeguards that
a deportee’s inherent dignity is respected, there is no guarantee that
deaths like that of Aamir Ageeb will not recur.
The human rights organization
has written to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany
expressing its concern about the use of the restraint techniques used in the
case of Aamir Ageeb. The organization is particularly concerned about the use
of the helmet during his forced deportation and the force exerted on him during
take-off.
A spokesperson for the Ministry
of Internal Affairs stated on 30 May that helmets are employed by the authorities
to protect the deportee from physical injury during their forced deportation
and to protect police officers from being bitten. Amnesty International has
asked to be informed of the type of helmets employed during forced deportation
and the guidelines relating to their use. The organization is especially concerned
that the use of a full-faced helmet with a face visor could impede the breathing
of a deportee. Similarly, a helmet strap could cause breathing difficulties
if fastened too tight. The organization believes that breathing difficulties
might be exacerbated in cases where a deportee struggles and resists deportation.
Amnesty International is
also concerned about the technique of restraining a deportee in the sitting
position by forcing the upper body forward onto, and below, the knees. The organization
believes that this technique may impede the breathing of a deportee, especially
when pressure is exerted and other restraints are employed. The human rights
organization has asked to be informed whether this technique is permitted as
a form of restraint, and if so, under what circumstances. In addition, Amnesty
International has asked to be informed what guidelines exist relating to the
use of this technique and other forms of restraint.
Amnesty International welcomes
the announcement that an investigation will be held into the circumstances surrounding
this tragic death and hopes that the investigation will be full and impartial.
It has asked to be informed of the findings of investigation. The organization
also welcomes the announcement that there will be a temporary suspension of
forced expulsions from Germany.
Background
The death of Aamir Ageeb is not the first case of an asylum-seeker having died
after being restrained during forced expulsion at Frankfurt am Main airport.
In August 1994 a Nigerian national, Kola Bankole, died of heart failure during
his forced deportation from Frankfurt am Main airport. He was restrained, sedated
and gagged with a device made by one of the police officers at home from socks
and a belt from a window blind.
Source: Amnesty International,
International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom
