Asylum deport family win reprieve

The family were being held in Yarls Wood detention centre

A family of asylum seekers who were facing deportation back to Pakistan have been released from a detention centre while their case is reviewed.

Nigel and Pearl Karim and children, Calvin, 11, and Crystal, 13, have lived in Nelson, Lancashire, since 2002.

Campaigners said they faced persecution because of their Christian beliefs and put pressure on the Home Office to release them.

A spokesman said the department could not comment on individual cases.

A cousin of his who also converted to Christianity was murdered Patrick Samuels, relative

The family were travelling back to Lancashire on Thursday from the Yarls Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire.

Kiran Panesar, their solicitor, said a 200-page file of fresh evidence had been lodged with the Home Office in Manchester in July 2005 after the family's first application for asylum was lost in 2002.

"The next thing we heard was yesterday that the family were going to be detained," she said.

Mrs Panesar claimed the detention had been ordered by officials in Liverpool, unaware of the documents lodged in Manchester.

Right of appeal

The Home Office spokesman said the UK Government was "committed providing protection to those with a well-founded fear of persecution".

"This means that asylum claimants who are found not to require humanitarian protection will be expected to return home."

The spokesman said he could not comment on individual cases, but explained the process for those whose applications are rejected.

"Unsuccessful applicants and any dependants would be notified of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's decision on their application, warned of their liability to detention and removal, and informed of any right of appeal."

Persecution risk

Mrs Karim's brother Patrick Samuels said: "They will be persecuted if they are sent to Pakistan.

"A cousin of his who also converted to Christianity was murdered.

"This is the beginning so we need to continue this effort because there is still a long way to go.

"They are being released but they still need to go through the whole process."

Father Christopher Gorton, parish priest of Holy Saviour RC Church, said the family were active and popular members of the parish.

The children attended local schools which have also backed their fight for asylum.