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UK 'home to 300 rights abusers' UK 'home to 300 rights abusers'
(about 2 hours later)
More than 300 people responsible for war crimes and other human rights abuses overseas could be living in Britain, the BBC has learned.More than 300 people responsible for war crimes and other human rights abuses overseas could be living in Britain, the BBC has learned.
File on 4 has discovered that many of the alleged perpetrators are known to the government's UK Border Agency.File on 4 has discovered that many of the alleged perpetrators are known to the government's UK Border Agency.
The agency recommended rejecting hundreds of asylum or immigration claims in five years from people suspected of crimes against humanity. The agency recommended rejecting hundreds of asylum or immigration claims over five years from people suspected of crimes against humanity.
Only a handful of cases have been referred to the police.Only a handful of cases have been referred to the police.
Figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request by File on 4 show the UK Border Agency's war crimes team recommended rejection of 350 asylum and immigration claims in five years, on the grounds it suspected the applicants of war crimes or crimes against humanity. Figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request by File on 4 show the UK Border Agency's war crimes team recommended rejection of 350 asylum and immigration claims in the past five years, on the grounds it suspected the applicants of war crimes or crimes against humanity.
Find Out More Listen to File On 4, Radio 4 Tuesday 24 March 2009 2000 GMT, repeated Sunday 22 March 1700 GMTOr catch up at Radio 4's Listen Again siteFind Out More Listen to File On 4, Radio 4 Tuesday 24 March 2009 2000 GMT, repeated Sunday 22 March 1700 GMTOr catch up at Radio 4's Listen Again site
But less than half of those were actually excluded.But less than half of those were actually excluded.
The figures do not include people who entered the country illegally or were not spotted by the authorities.The figures do not include people who entered the country illegally or were not spotted by the authorities.
One estimate suggests that this could be another 100 people One estimate suggests that this could be another 100 people.
Police pleaPolice plea
Only 22 cases of people alleged to have been either war criminals or human rights abusers have been referred to the police in the last five years.Only 22 cases of people alleged to have been either war criminals or human rights abusers have been referred to the police in the last five years.
And there have been claims some investigations failed because of a lack of resources or expertise.And there have been claims some investigations failed because of a lack of resources or expertise.
The government's reviewer of anti-terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile, said that needed to be rectified.The government's reviewer of anti-terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile, said that needed to be rectified.
"I would hope that the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner would think it right to set up an additional unit, just as one of his predecessors set up the war crimes unit, to investigate international criminal matters of this kind, " he told the BBC."I would hope that the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner would think it right to set up an additional unit, just as one of his predecessors set up the war crimes unit, to investigate international criminal matters of this kind, " he told the BBC.
"There is a suspicion around the world that the United Kingdom gives safe haven to people who have committed genocide and indeed torture."There is a suspicion around the world that the United Kingdom gives safe haven to people who have committed genocide and indeed torture.
"Some of them are suspected of the most appalling crimes, involving murder on a large scale," he added."Some of them are suspected of the most appalling crimes, involving murder on a large scale," he added.
The Home Office said that the government was committed to dealing with human rights abusers.The Home Office said that the government was committed to dealing with human rights abusers.