Refugees News Summary
February 2024
The egregious Rwanda Bill continues its course through the House of Lords. Their Lordships defeated the Government on one vote, to say that the treaty with Rwanda should not be ratified until the protections set out in it have been fully implemented. The Committee stage begins on Monday 12th February. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has commented that the Government's plans are a "fake response" to migration issues.
The small boat numbers in January were higher than last year at 1335 – this was no doubt due to milder weather.
Ukraine
The visas offered to Ukrainian exiles following the invasion will run out next month, leaving large numbers to their own devices in seeking accommodation. On a related topic, a consultation has begun to reform the allocation of social housing; it is proposed that there be a "UK connection test", only allowing allocations to those who have been lawfully resident here for 10 years. The increase in pressure on housing for migrants continues to ratchet up.
The question has been asked "Can criminals be denied refugee status?" The answer appears to be "Yes, but the crime has to be serious for this to apply."
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration is looking into the Immigration Enforcement Competent Authority (sic), which decides claims of human trafficking.
Open Democracy are claiming that vulnerable people including torture victims are being housed on Bibby Stockholm in a potential breach of government guidelines.
Recommended reading: Hein de Haas: How Migration Really Works (Viking, 2024)
Recommended viewing: The Visual Politics of Refugeehood | Gresham College
By Nishat Awan
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