Human rights organizations are concerned as the United Kingdom implements the most significant changes to its asylum law

*Paromita Das

The United Kingdom has passed the Nationality and Borders Act, the most significant overhaul of its asylum system in decades.

According to the Government of the United Kingdom’s website, this law will “deter illegal entry into the United Kingdom, breaking the business model of people-smuggling networks, and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the United Kingdom.”

Despite widespread condemnation and accusations that it violates international law, Britain praised a “world-leading” overhaul of its asylum system.
Home Secretary Priti Patel, who comes from a family of asylum seekers and whose parents fled Idi Amin’s Uganda, has referred to the controversial act’s passage as a “landmark” that has resulted in changes fit for the twenty-first century.

The bill, which was passed by parliament late Wednesday, includes maximum life sentences for human traffickers who are accused of assisting illegal migration.

However, it imposes harsher prison sentences for anyone who illegally enters the country, raising concerns that it could be used against asylum seekers.
The act gives agencies more authority to expedite the expulsion of failed asylum seekers and “dangerous foreign criminals,” as described by Patel, and puts an end to “meritless” judicial battles to prevent deportation.

One of its provisions, in particular, declares people who have sought asylum in another “safe” country “inadmissible” to the UK asylum system.

Human rights groups and charities that assist refugees and migrants have slammed the idea, and some have threatened to sue the government.

According to UN Refugee Chief Filippo Grandi, the new legislation may violate both the letter and the spirit of global refugee treaties to which Britain is a signatory.
He expressed dismay that the country was considering closing its doors to asylum seekers and granting refugees a lower status, with the threat of deportation looming.

It is “heinous,” according to Oxfam’s head of government relations, Sam Nadel, and “a devastating blow for families fleeing conflict and persecution.”

“The government should be protecting refugees, not punishing them,” he said.