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13th November 2001
UNHCR
Response to Anti-Terrorist Bill
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees
is concerned that the UK government's anti-terrorism bill suspends
and could deny the right to seek asylum for those who will be detained
under the proposed legislation.
Under existing UK law, asylum seekers
certified by the Secretary of State as threats to national security
are dealt with by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. SIAC
looks at national security concerns and in the case of asylum seekers,
the applicants' reasons for fleeing persecution. This is an acceptable
process. However under the government’s proposals SIAC will
be barred from considering the asylum content of appeals. This effectively
suspends and could deny the full and correct application of the
UN Refugee Convention to these persons.
The UNHCR fully supports the need for
states to take robust steps to combat terrorism. The UN Convention
on Refugee status itself denies refugee protection to those involved
in acts of terror or extreme violence. The Convention also allows
the removal of such people.
"Existing
refugee law protects asylum seekers while also ensuring the interests
of States whose duty is to protect the public. Any move by the government
to deny or suspend access to the full asylum procedures is therefore
unnecessary and would be an erosion of commitment to this important
international instrument", said Anne Dawson Shepherd, the UK
Representative of the UNHCR.
Ends
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