Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

UN: British Asylum Reforms Bill against International Law

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Sep 2021 20:45
2 Min Read

The UNHCR objects to the British bill aimed at imposing “damaging and unjustified penalties” on refugees and asylum-seekers.

  • x
  • The British bill includes strict measures against immigrants.
    The British bill imposes strict measures on immigrants

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the bill would “penalize most refugees seeking asylum in the country via damaging and unjustified penalties, creating an asylum model that undermines established international refugee protection rules and practices.”

The UN body has urged the Government to re-assess parts of the draft law, currently going through Parliament, that would create an “unfair two-tier asylum system and cause unnecessary suffering to asylum-seekers”.

The bill intends to make it a criminal offense to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission, with a maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully ranging from six months to four years of imprisonment.

It means that, for the first time, how someone enters the UK, whether legally or illegally, will have an impact on how their asylum process goes and on their status in the UK if the asylum demand is successful.

The sentence of convicted people-smugglers could reach life behind bars, up from the current maximum sentence of 14 years.

Related News

Palestine Action wins bid to defy UK ban under anti-terrorism laws

Situation in Gaza 'reached new depths, continuing to worsen': Starmer

“Those arriving irregularly will be stigmatized as unworthy and unwelcome, kept in a precarious status for ten years and denied access to public funds unless destitute. Family reunion will be restricted,” Rossella Pagliuchi-Lor, the UNHCR’s UK Representative said.

“This differentiation of treatment has no basis in international law,” Ms. Pagliuchi-Lor added. “The Convention’s definition of a refugee doesn’t vary according to the route of travel, choice of country of asylum, or the timing of a claim.

"This Bill would undermine, not promote, the Government’s stated goal of improving protection for those at risk of persecution."

 

-- Rossella Pagliuchi-Lor, the UNHCR’s UK Representative.

The UNHCR criticized the fact that refugees should claim asylum in the "first safe country" they arrive in, as this principle is not stated in the 1951 Refugee Convention and there is no such requirement under international law, where the primary responsibility for protecting refugees is with the State in which an asylum-seeker arrives.

UNHCR believes the Bill:

✖️ won’t deter people risking their lives

📈 will increase suffering and deny human rights

❗️ will be unworkable

Full analysis here: https://t.co/lYSJdiZInn

— UNHCR United Kingdom (@UNHCRUK) September 23, 2021

The British bill comes at a time when the UK is facing a record influx of migrants crossing the Channel "illegally" on life-threatening boats, despite promises by the Conservative government to make the route impassable.

  • UK
  • Britain
  • draft law
  • asylum

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS