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Refugee Action urges government to reconsider proposals

27 November 2003

Refugee Action is urging the government to reconsider proposals for a new asylum bill as announced in the Queen’s Speech yesterday, and instead to allow the existing system to adjust to recent changes.

Refugee Action’s Chief Executive, Sandy Buchan, says: “New asylum figures published today show that applications are decreasing so it is time to allow the system to settle down and work effectively, instead of burdening it with ever harsher legislation that is inhumane, ineffective and unlikely to result in savings to the taxpayer.”

Global political events and the violation of human rights are the main factors that determine the number of asylum applications. As expected, these new figures show that changing circumstances in countries like Afghanistan have had a significant effect on asylum numbers here. As early as the beginning of 2003, the number of new refugees registered globally with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had dropped by 69 per cent compared to the previous year.

Yet human rights abuses continue, and the new figures also reflect ongoing unrest and persecution in African countries such as Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sandy Buchan continues: “Reform of the asylum system must not be achieved at the cost of depriving asylum seekers of justice and compromising our commitment to the spirit of the 1951 UN Convention. Proposals to restrict appeal rights to a single hearing would jeapordise the right of many asylum seekers fleeing genuine persecution to a full and fair hearing of their case.

“We are also deeply concerned at proposals to make arriving in the UK without

travel documents a criminal offence. It is already immensely difficult for people to reach this country safely and legally to claim asylum. This legislation would further criminalise asylum seekers, who have done nothing wrong in seeking safety here.

“Now that the pressure on the system has eased, this is a real opportunity for the government to show leadership in encouraging a more balanced view of asylum and immigration issues. The time is right for the government to focus its energies on improving the quality of decision-making and ensuring that we honour our commitment to protecting refugees.”

For more information and to arrange interviews please call: 020 7654 0673 or 07810 757752.

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