Protests planned outside government meeting in Reykjavik over deportation of Yazan Tamimi and family

Protests have been planned outside the government meeting today concerning the deportation of Yazan Tamimi and his family. The case will be discussed at the meeting, and the Minister of Justice has postponed the family’s deportation after the Left-Green Movement requested a discussion on the matter.

Activists are gathering for a protest at the beginning of the government meeting today. The government is set to convene to address Yazan Tamimi’s situation, which was intended to be resolved last night. Justice Minister Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir delayed the deportation after Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, the chair of the Left-Green Movement, called for an official discussion regarding Yazan’s case.

Yazan is an 11-year-old boy suffering from a muscular dystrophy and requires medical care at a healthcare facility. Authorities had attempted to take him from the facility to Keflavik Airport just after midnight while he was hospitalized.

Yazan and his family were slated to be transferred to Spain, where they have a visa but do not hold refugee status. Minister Guðrún stated that her decision was not an example of proper administrative procedure, suggesting she had to intervene in the case.

Finance Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson supported the decision to delay, emphasizing that the situation warranted a more thorough review before proceeding with any deportation plans.

In response, a solidarity event has been organized outside the government meeting, titled “Yazan belongs here ❤️,” calling for unity in opposition to violence against children and expressing that Yazan must be allowed to stay.