Migration bill threatens human rights: UN

GENEVA/LONDON — The Illegal Migration Bill passed by the Parliament in the United Kingdom is at odds with the country's obligations, and will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a joint statement that the legislation will exacerbate the already vulnerable situation of people who arrive irregularly in the UK. It will drastically limit their human rights and put them at risk for detention and destitution, they said.

"As a result, their rights to health, an adequate standard of living, and to work are at risk, exposing them to the risk of exploitation and abuse."

The bill would outlaw asylum claims by all arrivals via the English Channel and other "illegal" routes, and transfer them to third countries.

It was proposed in response to years of growing numbers of dangerous cross-Channel journeys from northern France in small boats.

"This new legislation significantly erodes the legal framework that has protected so many, exposing refugees to grave risks in breach of international law," Grandi said.

The passage of the bill coincided with the arrival of a barge that will be used to house migrants arrived at a port on England's south coast.

The Bibby Stockholm barge moored in Dorset's Portland Port is expected to house 500 asylum-seekers from later this month.

More than 45,000 migrants arrived on the shores of southeastern England on small boats last year, a 60 percent annual increase on a perilous route that has been used by more people every year since 2018.

The Conservative government's interior minister in the upper house, Simon Murray, said the sheer number of arrivals had "overwhelmed "the UK's asylum system and was costing taxpayers $7.8 million a day in accommodation costs.

But Alex Fraser, British Red Cross' UK director for refugee support, called the passing of the bill a "dark day".

"It will leave many people, from places like Sudan and Syria, in detention, destitution and permanent limbo," he said.

Agencies - Xinhua