The High Court in London has blocked the deportation to Sri Lanka of a group of failed Tamil asylum-seekers on the basis that repatriation is too dangerous.
The British government ordered the deportations, despite having disclosed earlier this month that at least 15 Tamils had been tortured after having been sent back to Sri Lanka.
The High Court ruling now sets a precedent which may be later applied to all failed Tamil asylum seekers, as well as to those who are in detention.
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Human Rights Watch UK director, David Mepham, has told Channel Four the British government needs to rethink its approach on asylum claims put forward by Sri Lankan nationals.
"We have had situations in the recent past, in which the UK has forcibly deported people back to Sri Lanka, who have then been tortured and ill treated. The government has a flawed system for assessing Tamil asylum claims. It needs urgently reviewing it."
The failed asylum-seekers were meant to be deported today, but will now be entitled to remain in the United Kingdom until further notice.
