Oscar & top medic hit by Muslim ban
Soheil Saeedi Saravi. He was on his way to begin a specialism in cardiovascular medicine at Harvard.
Professor Thomas Michel, his supervisor, told The New York Times: “This outstanding young scientist has enormous potential to make contributions that will improve our understanding of heart disease and has already been thoroughly vetted.” A Syrian family of six were also turned away. They have been living in a refugee camp since 2014.
Danielle Drake of refugee resettlement agency US Together, said the ban reminded her of Jewish refugees being turned away after the Second World War.
She added: “All those times that people said, ‘Never again,’ well, we’re doing it again.” Prime Minister Theresa May was criticised for failing to condemn Mr Trump’s order. She said in Ankara, Turkey: “The United States is responsible for the United States’ policy on refugees. The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom’s policy on refugees.”
Turkish PM Binali Yildirim responded: “You can’t solve this problem by putting up walls.” Former Labour leader Ed Miliband, whose father fled the Nazis, said: “The PM’s refusal to condemn Trump’s Muslim ban is shocking.” Current leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions.” Iran hit back by banning Americans from entering their country.
“We have expressed strong support for Turkish democracy and institutions following the coup, but been clear that we have urged Turkey to ensure its response is proportionate and in line with international human rights obligations.”
The new deal will see BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries establish a partnership for the development of the Turkish Fighter Programme (TF-X).
The initial deal is worth more than £100million, but Number 10 said it could lead to “multi-billion pound contracts between Team UK and Turkish firms” as Britain becomes Turkey’s “partner of choice” for military equipment.
A source said the wider programme could see the UK provide engines, weapons, radars and sensors.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever-more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights.”
Mrs May yesterday urged President Erdogan to sustain democracy by “maintaining the rule of law and upholding international human rights obligations”.