Political turmoil across the world continues to force people to flee for their lives. Yet the British government is Jess concerned with the causes of the conflicts than with being seen to be "tough" on asylum seekers.
The February issue Crisis Watch TeDOrIS that instability continued in 41% of the world's countries in January 2006. Six conflict situations around the deteriorated, while in 73 other countries the situation remained unchanged.
But in Britain, the government is busy pursuing the "new asylum model" which fast tracks applications, detains more asylum seekers ana increases lne largels lor rcmovals.
The and Immigration Bill (2005) at present going through Parliament - with little inside or outside opposition - is the sixth piece of immigration legislation in 12 years.
The Bill itself abandons Indefinite Leave to Remain, replacing it by an initial temporary leave to remain for five years. During that period the person mav be returned to their if "things improve there".
If the Bill becomes law refugees would be left in a cruel limbo - unable to settle in their new home for fear of being returned at any time.
The fast-tracking of asylum applicants is already happening. Many who were in detention for up to three years, are now being processed in a month or two
This is making it very difficult for them to get to know anyone, including campaigners for
Inel righls. increasing the number of sulcides. Tagged
Many applicants for asylum are now being tagged with an electronic monitoring device around their ankle. A monitoring unit has been installed
the accommodation address where they 'must' reside and they are also requirea to report to une authorities on a weekly or monthly basis.
The notorious Section 55 (2002), making asylum seekers destitute if they left it too long to apply for asylum, was however deemed 'inhuman ano degaome meaner ov the Law Lords.
This means asylum seekers must be housed and supported. Destitute
It also looks as though Section 9 2004) may
De unworkable. This makes families destitute who have come to the end of their asylum process and are not "making arrangements to return", leading to the possibility that children will be taken into care.
In the year-long pilot scheme ONUV one family returned, while some 32 families have gone underground Further information: CrisisWatch Nº30, 1 February 2006 http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=3929 KENNY PETER o rather than face the impossible choice of returning to the country they fled, or of losing Their couoren.
The British Association of Social Workers has criticised this law as conflicting with the "duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need" under the Children Act, 1989.
Meanwhile deportations continue, including the 15 Iraqis who were forcibly deported in November.
Some alleged they were beaten, put into handcuffs, forced onto a military aeroplane and told that they were going back to a safe environment, but they were made to change into British army uniforms, including helmets and flak jackets.
Some 32 families
have gone underground
rather than face
the impossible
choice of returning
to the country they
fled, or of losing
their children human rights reports cited evidence pointing to the systematic practice of torture in police stations and other Interior Ministry premises throughout
Scandinavian governments have decided against forcibly returning people to Iraq for the time being and have even included some Iraqi nationals to whom they had previously refused protection.
Asylum seekers fight to stay in Britain under conditions of largely low public understanding and high hostility.
If asylum seekers and campaigners can get across the message that Britain should not be returning people to obviously dangerous countries such as Iraq, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo, this should help change that atmosphere. demands:
Stop deportations to Protection for all Ir asylum seekers
Allow them the righ
ork or to receive a dece level of benefit
• Immediate release for the remaining few Iraqi asylum seekers in detention.