Judge says failed asylum bid must be reconsidered

A SOMALIAN man who fears persecution by Islamic militants has won a High Court battle in his bid to remain in Northern Ireland.

Omaar Ismail claimed he has no family left in Mogadishu and would be isolated and exposed to danger if forced to return.

A judge ruled that the 51-yearold’s failed asylum application must be reconsidered based on assertions that his parents are now dead.

Mr Ismail said he fled with his wife and children to Kenya in 2002, placing them in a refugee camp before he travelled on alone to London a year later.

He sought asylum amid fears that belonging to a minority clan would lead to persecution by militant group al-Shabab.

When his initial application was refused in 2003 he stayed in the UK, stating that he arrived in Northern Ireland at the end of 2017. Describing himself as an “absconder”, he said he depended on friends and charity, being provided with food and clothing in exchange for acting as an informal interpreter.

“I was very embarrassed that I did not have status and terrified that I could be returned to Somalia. I hoped that in Belfast I would be treated more fairly because I would not meet the same Home Office staff as before,” he said.

Quashing the decision to refuse the asylum claim, the judge ordered a re-assessment of Mr Ismail’s application.

He added: “In particular the decision-maker should consider the impact of the applicant’s case that in fact his parents are deceased and the consequences that has for his claim.”