Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in a new report has claimed that changes in Britain's asylum and immigration controls could breach human rights legislation. And that “(i)mprovements must be introduced to strengthen effective respect for the rights of asylum-seekers and immigrants in the United Kingdom.” It also recommended "drastically limiting" the policy of "administrative detention" (internment to you and me) of migrants, and proposed a maximum time limit for detentions.
The report added that "(t)he UK authorities should consider regulating the so-called 'Detained Fast Track' by introducing special legislation fully in compliance with the standards laid down by the European Convention on Human Rights", and that "(t)his type of detention should in particular be forbidden for vulnerable persons, such as unaccompanied minors, for whom alternative measures should be provided."
The Home Office have of course rejected the criticism. Their response, which was included in the report said that "(t)he government has no wish to detain people any longer than is required and this is particularly true in the cases of families with children. However, there are occasions where detention is prolonged as a consequence of attempts to frustrate the removal process."
So that means there will not be any change in UK detention policy any time soon despite the Council of Europe's criticisms.
1 comment:
I agree the DFT policy is by far going against Human Rights and in fact the Home Office seem to be using this policy to their advantage. As in 2007 in Oakington detention centre it shows that out of 260 asylum seekers going through the DFT procedure, 99% were refused and only 1% granted stay. How can all 99% not be genuine asylum seekers??? The Government are more concerned with showing the public that they are in control and that they are refusing more asylum seekers each year!!!
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