UK: Home Secretary’s Conference speech ‘frighteningly anti-human rights’
In response to the Home Secretary’s speech at the Conservative Party conference today, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:
“Suella Braverman’s speech was frighteningly anti-human rights and offered a vision of a Britain which rides roughshod over our basic rights and freedoms.
“Threats to weaken the Modern Slavery Act and human rights laws, to double down on the unlawful Rwanda deal and bar anyone crossing the Channel from sanctuary in the UK, would be a shocking failure to behave lawfully let alone with compassion.
“The draconian Public Order Bill will introduce yet more restrictions on the right to peaceful protest, with protest banning orders and widespread stop-and-search powers even without suspicion - doing serious damage to any reputation the UK has for upholding the rule of law and protecting free speech.
“Instead of defending the completely discredited Prevent programme, Braverman should be working on measures that can restore confidence and trust in all our communities.
“The Home Secretary’s suggestion that the UK should fail to comply with the European Court of Human Rights is dangerously discreditable, would reduce people’s rights and damage the international human rights system as a whole.
“Overall, it looks as if the cruelty and intolerance of recent Home Office policy on asylum, policing and the right to protest are set to intensify under Braverman’s stewardship.”
UK to propose asylum ban on English Channel migrants
By Andrew MacAskill and Kylie MacLellan
REUTERS - Yesterday
Migrants arrive into the Port of Dover onboard a Border Force vessel after being rescued while crossing the English Channel, in Dover
Migrants arrive into the Port of Dover onboard a Border Force vessel after being rescued while crossing the English Channel, in Dover
© Reuters/HENRY NICHOLLS
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -British interior minister Suella Braverman set out plans on Tuesday for new powers which would ban migrants who cross the English Channel from claiming asylum and said it was her "dream" to see a government flight deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
British Attorney General and Conservative leadership candidate Suella Braverman attends the Conservative Way Forward launch event in London
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -British interior minister Suella Braverman set out plans on Tuesday for new powers which would ban migrants who cross the English Channel from claiming asylum and said it was her "dream" to see a government flight deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
British Attorney General and Conservative leadership candidate Suella Braverman attends the Conservative Way Forward launch event in London
© Reuters/HENRY NICHOLLS
The government has been under pressure to deal with the rising number of people making dangerous journeys despite plans to deport those arriving illegally to Rwanda.
More than 30,000 people have made the crossing in small boats so far this year, already surpassing last year's record. Government officials have warned the total could reach 60,000 by the end of 2022.
Braverman used her speech to the governing Conservative Party's annual conference to commit to looking at new legislative powers so the government can deport those who come to Britain illegally.
"We have to stop the boats crossing the Channel. This has gone on for far too long," Braverman said.
"I will pledge to you today that I will bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route."
The new powers would go further than existing legislation and were designed to create a blanket ban on anyone who enters Britain illegally, including on small boats across the English Channel, from claiming refuge, a government source said.
'BARBARIC'
The charity Care4Calais called the government's proposals "barbaric, untruthful and unnecessary" and said most asylum seekers who come to Britain are genuine refugees. LIKE HER FAMILY WERE
The government has been under pressure to deal with the rising number of people making dangerous journeys despite plans to deport those arriving illegally to Rwanda.
More than 30,000 people have made the crossing in small boats so far this year, already surpassing last year's record. Government officials have warned the total could reach 60,000 by the end of 2022.
Braverman used her speech to the governing Conservative Party's annual conference to commit to looking at new legislative powers so the government can deport those who come to Britain illegally.
"We have to stop the boats crossing the Channel. This has gone on for far too long," Braverman said.
"I will pledge to you today that I will bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route."
The new powers would go further than existing legislation and were designed to create a blanket ban on anyone who enters Britain illegally, including on small boats across the English Channel, from claiming refuge, a government source said.
'BARBARIC'
The charity Care4Calais called the government's proposals "barbaric, untruthful and unnecessary" and said most asylum seekers who come to Britain are genuine refugees. LIKE HER FAMILY WERE
This "is blatant victim blaming of incredibly vulnerable people, simply for the purpose of grabbing headlines," said Clare Mosley, the founder of the charity.
The previous prime minister Boris Johnson had hoped that a plan to deport those arriving illegally to Rwanda would act as a deterrent to those arriving in dinghies and small boats, but numbers hit record levels over the summer.
The first planned deportation flight in June was blocked by a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights.
Braverman said earlier at an event on the fringes of her party's conference that she will work to prevent the court from overruling the British government in future, but does not expect any planes to take off until after Christmas, because of continuing legal challenges.
She said seeing a flight leaving to take asylum seekers to Rwanda is her "dream" and "obsession".
The U.N. refugee chief has called the policy of deportation to Rwanda "catastrophic" and the entire leadership of the Church of England denounced it as immoral and shameful.
Braverman said she wants to stop migrants from using slavery laws to avoid deportation.
Braverman, whose parents arrived in Britain in the 1960s from Kenya and Mauritius, said in her speech that the government will continue to help genuine asylum seekers. But she will say that changes are needed to stop it being abused.
"It’s not racist for anyone, ethnic minority or otherwise, to want to control our borders," she said. "It’s time to tackle the small boats – no ifs, no buts."
(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa, William Maclean and Grant McCool)
The previous prime minister Boris Johnson had hoped that a plan to deport those arriving illegally to Rwanda would act as a deterrent to those arriving in dinghies and small boats, but numbers hit record levels over the summer.
The first planned deportation flight in June was blocked by a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights.
Braverman said earlier at an event on the fringes of her party's conference that she will work to prevent the court from overruling the British government in future, but does not expect any planes to take off until after Christmas, because of continuing legal challenges.
She said seeing a flight leaving to take asylum seekers to Rwanda is her "dream" and "obsession".
The U.N. refugee chief has called the policy of deportation to Rwanda "catastrophic" and the entire leadership of the Church of England denounced it as immoral and shameful.
Braverman said she wants to stop migrants from using slavery laws to avoid deportation.
Braverman, whose parents arrived in Britain in the 1960s from Kenya and Mauritius, said in her speech that the government will continue to help genuine asylum seekers. But she will say that changes are needed to stop it being abused.
"It’s not racist for anyone, ethnic minority or otherwise, to want to control our borders," she said. "It’s time to tackle the small boats – no ifs, no buts."
(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa, William Maclean and Grant McCool)
Home Secretary's desire for UK to leave European Convention on Human Rights branded 'worrying'
Tuesday 4 October 2022
Campaigners have condemned the Home Secretary's new solution to the Channel crossings crisis as "barbaric and unnecessary". ITV News' Correspondent Rachel Younger reports
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has broken with party policy to call for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as she urged a crackdown on illegal migration.
She said it was her personal view and acknowledged government policy was to work within the boundaries of the convention, which is interpreted by the convention.
But it is another sign of indiscipline within Liz Truss’ administration at the Tory conference in Birmingham
Tuesday 4 October 2022
Campaigners have condemned the Home Secretary's new solution to the Channel crossings crisis as "barbaric and unnecessary". ITV News' Correspondent Rachel Younger reports
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has broken with party policy to call for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as she urged a crackdown on illegal migration.
She said it was her personal view and acknowledged government policy was to work within the boundaries of the convention, which is interpreted by the convention.
But it is another sign of indiscipline within Liz Truss’ administration at the Tory conference in Birmingham
.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman leaves the stage after speaking at the Tory party conferenceCredit: Aaron Chown/PA
A senior Government source told the PA news agency: “As Suella acknowledged, her personal views are contrary to Government policy and if she wishes to make those views known within Government she should do so in a more appropriate setting.”
Ms Braverman campaigned on the issue when she stood for the Tory leadership in the contest won by Ms Truss.
She told a Spectator event at the Tory conference in Birmingham on Tuesday: “I was pretty blunt about this issue in my leadership campaign.
“My position personally is that ultimately we do need to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
“That is not government policy, I should say, government policy is to do everything we can within the convention, within the boundaries of the convention.
“But if that doesn’t work, then we will have to consider all options.”
A senior Government source told the PA news agency: “As Suella acknowledged, her personal views are contrary to Government policy and if she wishes to make those views known within Government she should do so in a more appropriate setting.”
Ms Braverman campaigned on the issue when she stood for the Tory leadership in the contest won by Ms Truss.
She told a Spectator event at the Tory conference in Birmingham on Tuesday: “I was pretty blunt about this issue in my leadership campaign.
“My position personally is that ultimately we do need to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
“That is not government policy, I should say, government policy is to do everything we can within the convention, within the boundaries of the convention.
“But if that doesn’t work, then we will have to consider all options.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman seen during the Conservative Party annual conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.Credit: PA
She added: “I don’t think we need to be subject to an institution born out of the post-war era which is a bit analogue in the way that it operates, which has centralised power, which is distant and which is politicised, which is pursuing an agenda which is at odds with our politics and our values.
“I don’t think that’s the direction that the world is going in, that’s not the direction that people called for with Brexit.”
An intervention by the European court contributed to the grounding of the first flight under the Government’s policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In her main conference speech, Ms Braverman said migrants crossing the Channel will face a ban from claiming asylum in Britain.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman vows action to end ‘abuse’ of immigration rules
Leaked document raises potential legal issues of Rwanda asylum seeker policy
The new laws – which go further than the Nationality and Borders Act which came into force in June – will impose a blanket ban on anyone deemed entering the UK illegally from seeking refuge.
The announcement marks the latest attempt by the Government to curb the growing numbers of Channel crossings after its flagship policy to send migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda stalled amid the legal challenges.
So far this year more than 33,500 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey from France.
Liz Truss to claim disruption worth it for a ‘new Britain’
Liz Truss refuses to rule out scrapping 45% tax rate for top earners in future
Ms Braverman told the conference in Birmingham the law “simply isn’t working” and legislation was being “abused” by people smugglers, people making “multiple, meritless and last-minute claims” and – taking aim at lawyers – by “specialist small boat-chasing law firms”, adding: “This cannot continue.”
“I will look to bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route … So if you deliberately enter the United Kingdom illegally from a safe country, you should be swiftly returned to your home country or relocated to Rwanda. That is where your asylum claim will be considered.”
Liz Truss to claim disruption worth it for a ‘new Britain’
Campaigners condemned the plan as further “attacks” on “genuine refugees” and branded them a “blatant breach” of Britain’s international obligations under the Refugee Convention.
Clare Mosley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais, said the proposal was “barbaric and unnecessary” while claiming the Government’s rhetoric on Channel crossings was “simply false”.
She added: “I don’t think we need to be subject to an institution born out of the post-war era which is a bit analogue in the way that it operates, which has centralised power, which is distant and which is politicised, which is pursuing an agenda which is at odds with our politics and our values.
“I don’t think that’s the direction that the world is going in, that’s not the direction that people called for with Brexit.”
An intervention by the European court contributed to the grounding of the first flight under the Government’s policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In her main conference speech, Ms Braverman said migrants crossing the Channel will face a ban from claiming asylum in Britain.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman vows action to end ‘abuse’ of immigration rules
Leaked document raises potential legal issues of Rwanda asylum seeker policy
The new laws – which go further than the Nationality and Borders Act which came into force in June – will impose a blanket ban on anyone deemed entering the UK illegally from seeking refuge.
The announcement marks the latest attempt by the Government to curb the growing numbers of Channel crossings after its flagship policy to send migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda stalled amid the legal challenges.
So far this year more than 33,500 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey from France.
Liz Truss to claim disruption worth it for a ‘new Britain’
Liz Truss refuses to rule out scrapping 45% tax rate for top earners in future
Ms Braverman told the conference in Birmingham the law “simply isn’t working” and legislation was being “abused” by people smugglers, people making “multiple, meritless and last-minute claims” and – taking aim at lawyers – by “specialist small boat-chasing law firms”, adding: “This cannot continue.”
“I will look to bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route … So if you deliberately enter the United Kingdom illegally from a safe country, you should be swiftly returned to your home country or relocated to Rwanda. That is where your asylum claim will be considered.”
Liz Truss to claim disruption worth it for a ‘new Britain’
Campaigners condemned the plan as further “attacks” on “genuine refugees” and branded them a “blatant breach” of Britain’s international obligations under the Refugee Convention.
Clare Mosley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais, said the proposal was “barbaric and unnecessary” while claiming the Government’s rhetoric on Channel crossings was “simply false”.
More migrants arrived in the UK on Tuesday after Channel crossings
Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, branded the proposals “deeply worrying and out of step with the majority of the public who support giving refugees protection”.
Zoe Abrams, executive director at the British Red Cross, said: “We need more safe routes for people at risk. The vast majority of people that make it to our shores go on to have their asylum claim approved.”
Setting out her intention to ensure UK immigration policy is not “derailed” by modern slavery laws, the Human Rights Act or the European court, Ms Braverman also said she would “work closely with the French to get more out of our partnership”.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, branded the proposals “deeply worrying and out of step with the majority of the public who support giving refugees protection”.
Zoe Abrams, executive director at the British Red Cross, said: “We need more safe routes for people at risk. The vast majority of people that make it to our shores go on to have their asylum claim approved.”
Setting out her intention to ensure UK immigration policy is not “derailed” by modern slavery laws, the Human Rights Act or the European court, Ms Braverman also said she would “work closely with the French to get more out of our partnership”.
No comments:
Post a Comment