7th
February 2002
UNHCR
Response to Asylum and Immigration White Paper
"The
UN refugee agency (UNHCR) welcomes the government's plans for a
comprehensive approach on asylum and immigration, but deeply regrets
that these include the continued detention of some asylum seekers",
said Anne Dawson--Shepherd, the UK Representative for the UNHCR.
"For
far too long, asylum and immigration issues have become blurred.
The credibility of the asylum system has suffered because of the
UK's restrictive immigration policy. We hope that the government's
plans for new gateways will make clear in the public's mind the
difference between economic migrants and asylum seekers fleeing
persecution."
We are delighted that the government
is exploring innovative ways to enable recognised reufgees, under
the UNHCR resettlement programme, to reach the UK in safety. It
is however vital that this programme runs in tandem and not at the
expense of the current asylum process.
We are deeply concerned as the White
Paper indicates the detention of some asylum seekers will continue.
UNHCR is particularly opposed to plans to detain families and children
for longer periods than just immediately prior to removal.
The UNHCR urges the UK to follow the
example of the majority of EU countries where resort to detention
is more in line with international standards.
Ends
|
