Asylum in the news
Asylum in the news
A round-up of asylum in the news for the week of 22nd February 2010.
Fast track fails those most in need
A report released yesterday has concluded that the Detained Fast Track System is unsuited to dealing with the asylum applications of vulnerable women. The method, designed as a means of dealing swiftly with false applications, has been shown to fail those most worthy of support. Cases involving victims of sex trafficking and domestic abuse cannot be conducted within the limited time frame offered, meaning that crucial evidence in support of claims cannot be gathered. The system has attracted criticism from Human Rights Watch and various asylum solicitors.
The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/26/asylum-fast-tracked-women-refugees
Decline in numbers of asylum applications
The most recent asylum statistics indicate that in the last quarter of 2009, asylum applications dropped 30% compared with figures from the same period in 2008. Of the total 4,765 claims, most were made by Iranian, Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals. The annual total for 2009 was down 6%. Of the 24,250 who claimed asylum during 2009, 27% were successful and 17% achieved full refugee status. The number of failed applications also decreased by 5%, resulting in a total of 64,750.
The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sharp-fall-in-asylum-seekers-arriving-in-uk-1910335.html
Judge’s ruling shines light on repatriation policy
A recent case heard in the High Court has exposed a government policy of repatriating Iraqi asylum seekers. Soran Ahmed, an ethnic Kurd, was detained for 21 months in Britain. Iraqi officials resisted the Home Office’s attempt to return him and 43 other Iraqis to the country. It has been revealed that countries including Britain have on-going deportation flights to Kurdistan, South and Central Iraq. Caroline Slocock of Refugee and Migrant Justice says it is a blow to the Home Office’s attempt to take advantage of a process that until now has come under little judicial scrutiny.
Yarl’s Wood detainee speaks out
A detainee at Yarl’s Wood has made a heartfelt plea to remain in Britain. Denise McNeil, who took part in the February hunger strike at Yarl’s Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire, has related her story of persecution in Jamaica. She tells of how her brother and sister suffered death at the hands of violent gangs and how she sought to escape this fate by coming to Britain. She is married to a British man, and wishes only to lead a normal life here free from the prospect of death.
Photo taken from the Human Rights Watch website.