One week after learning of his rejection, Ramin took his own life. Ramin's death comes at a time when claims for asylum from Iranian refugees are getting less and less of a hearing from the UK authorities, despite widespread acceptance of the oppressive nature of the Iranian regime. Since January 18, other asylum seekers at the 'International Hotel' in Leicester have been camped out in the hostel's lobby area in protest at the death of their friend. Residents have been complaining for several months of conditions in the hostel, a run-down former hotel in the city centre currently housing around 400 asylum seekers. There are severe problems of sanitation, inadequate heating and poor food.
Residents also face problems of hostility from some sections of the local population.
Since June 2000, doctors' surgeries in Leicester have refused to register any more refugee patients. LCRM is campaigning for justice for the refugees housed at the 'International Hotel' so that the tragic death of Ramin Khaleghi will not be repeated. Sometimes you get so frustrated when your life is in other peoples' hands. When you get an answer from the Home Office, it is likely to be a refusal. Hopelessness can easily trigger suicide.