In what has been billed as the biggest overhaul of the UK’s asylum system in decades, Patel has pledged to remove people who enter the UK illegally having travelled through a “safe country” in which they could and should have claimed asylum. “Some claimants have very legitimate reasons to seek protection in specific countries, including family or other links,” he added. Article 31 of the convention bans punishing refugees or asylum seekers if they come directly from a territory where they were threatened, present themselves without delay and have good reasons for entry. Patel’s plans mean anyone arriving illegally will be further punished with limited family reunion rights and limited access to benefits. A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our New Plan for Immigration is in line with international obligations including the Refugee Convention.

Source: The Guardian March 24, 2021 09:37 UTC