Displaying items by tag: asylum seekers

Government-aligned Italian MEPs are defending a plan to detain migrant arrivals in Albania, despite NGOs calling it ‘cruel’. Two Italian-funded migrant reception centres in Albania, part of a five-year agreement, face delays and are now unlikely to open before the end of the year. Under this deal, Albania will host up to 36,000 asylum seekers a year while Italian authorities handle their cases. The upfront costs are arguably minor compared to managing migration in Italy, but critics, including Amnesty International, argue that the plan violates human rights by detaining migrants for long periods and externalising asylum procedures. The externalisation model, also seen in the now-discarded UK government’s Rwanda plan, is seen as effective by some EU states but raises concerns about human rights and costs.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, along with other church leaders, have voiced strong concerns regarding the recently passed Safety of Rwanda Bill. This legislation, aimed at deporting some asylum seekers to Rwanda, has met with considerable opposition. The church leaders criticised the bill for unfairly maligning migrants fleeing war, persecution, and violence for political purposes. In a joint statement, they highlighted the potential precedent this bill sets for the treatment of vulnerable individuals, including victims of modern slavery. They expressed disappointment in the rising hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers, whom they describe as being used as 'political footballs.' The UN has also urged the UK to reconsider this bill, especially after the tragic deaths on 23 April of five people attempting to cross the English Channel. Rishi Sunak defended the bill, citing the need for a deterrent against criminal exploitation of vulnerable migrants. See

The Government's Rwanda bill faced fresh setbacks in the House of Lords, with Labour-backed amendments passing despite previous reversals in the Commons. These amendments include exceptions for children and adherence to international law. Rishi Sunak has faced ongoing resistance since the proposal was announced in April 2022. While the government's majority suggests amendments may be overturned, the margin of defeat narrowed as additional peers were enlisted. The bill must reconcile differences between the Commons and Lords before becoming law, a process known as parliamentary ping-pong. Some peers emphasised the importance of international and domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation, in their amendments. They also supported measures requiring independent verification of Rwanda's safety and exemptions for individuals who had assisted the UK military or government abroad. Sunak has vowed to curb illegal immigration, emphasising the bill's role in this effort.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised Colombia and Panama for failing to protect migrants and asylum seekers crossing the perilous Darien Gap jungle route between the two countries. The report highlighted inadequate protection and investigation of abuses, including sexual violence. The Darien Gap, fraught with natural hazards and criminal activity, is a favoured route for those fleeing violence and hardships; over 520,000 people used it in 2023. HRW urged Colombia to investigate a criminal gang's exploitation of migrants and allocate more resources for protection, and criticised Panama’s ‘controlled flow’ strategy, which it said needed to be modified. It also called for the appointment of a senior official to coordinate responses with the UN and humanitarian groups.

The Government is considering a proposal to offer up to £3,000 to failed asylum-seekers to relocate voluntarily to Rwanda. This plan, aimed at reducing the backlog of asylum applications, is separate from the controversial 'Rwanda bill,' which seeks to deport most asylum-seekers to Rwanda. The new scheme builds on existing policies offering financial assistance for voluntary returns to home countries. In the past year, 19,000 people have voluntarily left the UK under such schemes. The new proposal allows recipients of the financial package to live in Rwanda, a country the Government deems safe despite concerns about political oppression. Under this plan rejected asylum-seekers who currently cannot work legally in the UK would be allowed to work in Rwanda and receive five years of additional support. The government’s Rwanda bill has already been ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court for violating human rights laws. Rishi Sunak is now pushing legislation to designate Rwanda as a safe country for asylum-seekers, hoping to circumvent legal opposition.

The Home Secretary is reviewing whether tighter scrutiny is needed for asylum seekers claiming conversion to Christianity. This follows the case of Abdul Ezedi, a 35-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and convicted sex offender, who converted to Christianity and is suspected of a chemical attack in South London. James Cleverly will receive a detailed report on Ezedi, highlighting concerns about the authenticity of conversions among refugees. Tim Loughton MP emphasised the need for rigorous examination of such claims to assess the risk of returning these individuals to their home countries. Former home secretary Suella Braverman accused the Church of enabling widespread false asylum claims. David Rees, a church elder, said that forty asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge are Christian converts; some had converted before they had arrived in the UK. He outlined the church's process for verifying conversions, including public testimonies in the converts' native languages. The Home Office stated it has procedures to prevent fraudulent asylum claims based on religious beliefs.

Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill, aimed at preventing legal challenges to the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, has passed the House of Commons with 320 votes in favour and 276 against. Despite initial concerns from some Conservative MPs, only 11 voted against the bill. The legislation now faces opposition in the House of Lords. Sunak's government argues that this policy will deter migrants from illegally crossing the Channel into the UK. However, Labour criticises it as an ineffective and costly 'gimmick’. The plan has sparked divisions within the Conservative Party, with MPs like Robert Jenrick proposing amendments to bypass parts of human rights law, which were ultimately not adopted. Home secretary James Cleverly defended the bill as a clear message against illegal entry into the UK. The bill's passage in the Commons is a temporary victory for Sunak, but more challenges await in the House of Lords.

Amid freezing temperatures, criminal gangs have been condemned for their reckless actions in transporting around 200 migrants across the English Channel in dangerously cold conditions. The gangs have been criticised for their complete disregard for the safety of the migrants, using flimsy boats in treacherous weather, risking fatal outcomes. This risky crossing follows the recent tragic loss of five lives. The GB News' security editor highlighted how these gangs reduce the number of people per boat in bad weather, emphasising the perilous nature of these journeys. An investigation into 'aggravated manslaughter' has been launched following the recent capsising incident, underscoring the life-threatening risks involved. The Prime Minister's Rwanda bill, aimed at addressing this crisis, was passed by the House of Commons despite strong opposition and concerns over its compatibility with international law.

Robert Jenrick has resigned as the UK's immigration minister due to disagreements about the Government's new proposed Rwanda legislation, which he believes does not offer sufficient protections to end legal challenges that hinder the scheme. He stated that he found the proposal inadequate for successful implementation, describing it as ‘a triumph of hope over experience’. Sunak expressed disappointment, emphasising the risk of collapsing the scheme by entirely excluding the courts. The Rwanda option, aimed at deterring Channel crossings by asylum seekers, has faced delays and legal challenges, with no transfers as yet. The new bill seeks to circumvent the UK Supreme Court's ruling against the plan by limiting the applicability of the Human Rights Act (HRA) and other laws. However, it stops short of overriding the entire HRA and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as some Conservative MPs desired. Labour's Yvette Cooper criticised the chaotic situation, highlighting the government's struggles. The bill’s potential success seems uncertain amid legal challenges and political divisions within the Conservative party.

The UK Home Office has lost track of over 17,000 asylum seekers after their claims were discontinued, a concern raised during a discussion about Rishi Sunak's goal to clear the asylum backlog by year's end. The claims were withdrawn because the individuals failed to respond to interview requests or questionnaires. In 2021, 2,141 applications were refused or withdrawn, a significant decrease from 24,403 in 2004. When an application is withdrawn, the individual becomes illegal in the UK and is subject to removal. The Government, confident about meeting its target, has increased caseworker numbers. However, the significant rise in withdrawn claims raises concerns about conveniently meeting targets. The Home Office is also negotiating a treaty with Rwanda following the Supreme Court's ruling against their plan to send asylum seekers there, citing risks of violation of UK and international human rights laws. There is also uncertainty about the total amount paid to Rwanda, with more details expected in the summer, making it challenging to scrutinise the policy's costs effectively.