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Asylum system 'shameful for UK' Asylum system 'shameful for UK'
(about 2 hours later)
The UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls "seriously below" the standards of a civilised society, a report says.The UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls "seriously below" the standards of a civilised society, a report says.
The Independent Asylum Commission, led by an ex-senior judge, said the system denied sanctuary to some in need and failed to remove others who should go.The Independent Asylum Commission, led by an ex-senior judge, said the system denied sanctuary to some in need and failed to remove others who should go.
It said the treatment of some asylum seekers was a shameful blemish on the UK's international reputation.It said the treatment of some asylum seekers was a shameful blemish on the UK's international reputation.
But the Border and Immigration Agency has rejected the report, claiming it operates a "firm but humane" system.But the Border and Immigration Agency has rejected the report, claiming it operates a "firm but humane" system.
The Commission spent a year researching the report and spoke to former home secretaries, policy makers and asylum seekers.The Commission spent a year researching the report and spoke to former home secretaries, policy makers and asylum seekers.
We are a country with a basic instinct of fair play - the system denies fair play to asylum seekers not out of malice but because of a lack of resources Sir John Waite, co-chairman of the Independent Asylum CommissionWe are a country with a basic instinct of fair play - the system denies fair play to asylum seekers not out of malice but because of a lack of resources Sir John Waite, co-chairman of the Independent Asylum Commission
It was established after calls from community organisations and charities for an authoritative examination of asylum after former Home Secretary John Reid branded the immigration system "not fit for purpose". It was established in the wake of calls from community organisations and charities for an authoritative examination of asylum after former Home Secretary John Reid branded the immigration system "not fit for purpose".
The body of legal and professional experts on refugees held meetings around the UK. Sir John Waite, co-chairman of the commission and a former Appeal Court judge, said this particular issue was a "blemish" on the UK's reputation.
In the detailed interim report, the commissioners said they had found almost unanimous support for an international asylum system that allows people to seek refuge from persecution - but they said they had also uncovered serious concerns over how it was now operating in the UK.
The report praised immigration officials for recent reforms to how they manage asylum applications - but it warned that a "culture of disbelief" was leading to "perverse and unjust decisions".The report praised immigration officials for recent reforms to how they manage asylum applications - but it warned that a "culture of disbelief" was leading to "perverse and unjust decisions".
The commissioners said policymakers were at times using "indefensible" threats of destitution to try to force some asylum seekers to leave the UK.The commissioners said policymakers were at times using "indefensible" threats of destitution to try to force some asylum seekers to leave the UK.
In turn, justifiable plans to remove failed asylum seekers were proving to be ineffective, leading to a further sapping of public confidence. 'Poor understanding'
'Fair play' Another commission member, Lord Ramsbotham, a former chief inspector of prisons, told the BBC that officials considering asylum claims often had a poor understanding of an individual's circumstances.
Sir John Waite, co-chairman of the commission and a former Appeal Court judge, said this particular issue was a "blemish" on the UK's reputation. "We are concerned at the level of the treatment of children, the treatment of women, the treatment of those with health needs, particularly mental health needs, torture survivors."
But he acknowledged: "The system is improving all the time, and we commend the strenuous efforts by Border and Immigration Agency to deal with these claims more effectively."
ASYLUM STORIES If claiming asylum is not a crime, why do we have these invisible bars around us all the time? Shoherah Muhummad, Leeds Asylum seekers' storiesASYLUM STORIES If claiming asylum is not a crime, why do we have these invisible bars around us all the time? Shoherah Muhummad, Leeds Asylum seekers' stories
"We heard worrying stories about the conditions being experienced by some asylum seekers, in particular the scale of the destitution," Sir John told the BBC. "We are a country with a basic instinct of fair play - it's rooted deeply in our national character," Sir John told the BBC.
"The picture that emerged was one of people struggling to live.
"We are a country with a basic instinct of fair play - it's rooted deeply in our national character," said Sir John.
"The system denies fair play to asylum seekers not out of malice but because of a lack of resources.""The system denies fair play to asylum seekers not out of malice but because of a lack of resources."
Compassionate The head of the Border and Immigration Agency, Lin Homer, said: "I totally refute any suggestion that we treat asylum applicants without care and compassion.
But the head of the Border and Immigration Agency, Lin Homer, said: "The claims made in this report are not based on any thorough knowledge. I totally refute any suggestion that we treat asylum applicants without care and compassion. "We have a proud tradition in Britain of offering sanctuary to those who truly need our protection.
"We have a proud tradition in Britain of offering sanctuary to those who truly need our protection, and anyone seeking asylum can have their case reviewed by an independent judge.
"We operate a firm but humane system, supporting those who are vulnerable with accommodation and assistance."We operate a firm but humane system, supporting those who are vulnerable with accommodation and assistance.
"But we expect those that a court says have no genuine need for asylum to return home voluntarily, saving taxpayers the expense of enforcing their return."But we expect those that a court says have no genuine need for asylum to return home voluntarily, saving taxpayers the expense of enforcing their return.
"We will enforce the removal of those who refuse to comply, always ensuring first that it is safe to do so.""We will enforce the removal of those who refuse to comply, always ensuring first that it is safe to do so."
'Uncivilised''Uncivilised'
Sir John said the commissioners were concerned over the detention of asylum seekers, including children and the "hopelessly confused" public perception of asylum and its place in the immigration system.Sir John said the commissioners were concerned over the detention of asylum seekers, including children and the "hopelessly confused" public perception of asylum and its place in the immigration system.
The hearings had also come across torture victims and pregnant women being fast-tracked through the system, despite official guidelines saying this should not happen.The hearings had also come across torture victims and pregnant women being fast-tracked through the system, despite official guidelines saying this should not happen.
Overall, the treatment of asylum seekers fell "seriously below the standards to be expected of a humane and civilised society," said the report.Overall, the treatment of asylum seekers fell "seriously below the standards to be expected of a humane and civilised society," said the report.
Figures show there were 23,430 asylum applications in 2007 - the lowest for 14 years - and a quarter of the record set in 2002.Figures show there were 23,430 asylum applications in 2007 - the lowest for 14 years - and a quarter of the record set in 2002.
Neither Jacqui Smith, the present Home Secretary, nor Lin Homer, head of the Border and Immigration Agency, gave evidence to the body - but the commissioners add the Home Office did not block the inquiry or requests to meet other officials. The Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne described Britain's asylum system as "broken."
"The asylum process combines incredible complexity with systemic incompetence and is not fit for purpose."