The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has criticized Britain’s planned asylum law as a breach of international law. “This goes against the UK’s obligations under the International Refugee Convention,” UNHCR UK Representative Vicky Tennant told Sky News today.
“We are very concerned that this sets a global precedent and (…) effectively eliminates the right to asylum in the UK for almost all refugees.” Tennant emphasized that the focus must be on the asylum system so that applications can be processed quickly.
The right of asylum must be undermined
Early next week, the London Parliament will again debate the controversial law. It provides for the detention of all undocumented persons entering the UK, regardless of their background, for up to one month.
They must then be deported to their homeland or – if that is too dangerous – to Rwanda or another country. The right to seek asylum must be taken away from them.