Mahmood’s move to make asylum temporary ‘may undermine refugee convention’ | Refugees
Shabana Mahmood’s decision to tell everyone applying for asylum from Monday that their status is temporary could undermine the refugee convention, the Law Society has said.
The home secretary’s move to review the status of every refugee after 30 months creates “tension” with the UK’s legal obligations, the body representing lawyers in England and Wales said.
Keir Starmer’s government is set to unveil a series of tough policies aimed at deterring people from traveling to the UK to seek asylum.
Mahmood, who is closely associated with the Blue Labor wing of his party, has faced backlash from MPs, colleagues and affiliated unions for continuing the policies after Labor came third in last week’s Gorton and Denton by-elections.
From Monday, refugees, like other authorized immigrants, will need to obtain renewed permission or apply for a visa to stay, including paying relevant fees. The policy change is modeled on Denmark’s strict system.
Mark Evans, chief executive of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “The rules announced today will create long-term uncertainty for people who want to live out of danger and who are recognized by the government as needing protection.
“The changes are in tension with Article 34 of the refugee convention, under which the UK agrees to facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees to the extent possible.”
Article 34 of the convention signed by the United Kingdom in 1951 states: “Contracting States shall facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees to the extent possible.
“In particular, they will make every effort to expedite naturalization procedures and to reduce the costs and expenses of such procedures as much as possible.”
Organizations working closely with refugees have raised concerns about the proposals, saying they would re-traumatise people coming to the UK from war zones and being tortured.
Sophie McCann, forced displacement and protection advocacy adviser for Médecins Sans Frontières in the UK, said the decision was “another brutal development that will harm people fleeing the horrors of conflict, violence and persecution”.
He added: “Introducing prolonged uncertainty and fear into the asylum system will create further psychological harm and hinder the ability of refugees, including our patients, to heal from their experiences and rebuild their lives in dignity.”
Natasha Tsangarides, deputy director of Freedom Against Torture, said: “This policy change will affect men, women and children recognized by our government as needing protection from torture and war.
“They fled countries like Iran and Sudan because they defended the same freedoms we value in England.
“Granting refugee status should be a moment of celebration; a gateway to a new life and a chance to leave behind the horrors they have endured. They will now have to relive this trauma every 30 months.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We will always provide refuge to those fleeing war and persecution, but we must also ensure that our asylum system does not create pull factors that draw people into dangerous journeys around the world.
“Our approach remains consistent with our international obligations and will encourage those looking to make a life in the UK to do so safely and legally.”
