If passed, the Citizenship and Borders Bill would “seriously undermine the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons, including children; increase the risk of exploitation that all migrants and asylum seekers face; and lead to serious human rights violations”, Siobhán Mullally, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, say in a statement.
She added: “The bill does not recognize the Government’s obligation to ensure the protection of migrant and refugee children, and significantly increases the risk of Statelessness, in violation of international law.”
Danger inside
Seeking and enjoying asylum is a fundamental human right, according to experts from the United Nations.
However, the bill does not honor the UK’s obligations under international refugee and human rights law, but instead breaks down core protections of democratic societies and pushes vulnerable people away. injury in a dangerous situation.
If passed, experts say, it could penalize asylum seekers and refugees, violate the principle of non-punishment in international law and discriminate between different types of asylum seekers. which is contrary to international law.
Match words with action
They also highlight the specific risks that migrant and refugee women face.
Under the bill, women who have experienced gender-based violence could be turned away by the UK instead of being allowed to seek and seek safety.
The government’s repeated public statements against human trafficking and modern slavery must be combined with concrete action to ensure equal protection of the law against human trafficking, the experts stressed. all victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, without discrimination”.
‘Arbitrary deprivation of rights’
Experts expressed warning that the bill would raise the possibility of “arbitrary disenfranchisement”, which, they remind, has a troubled history rooted in racism and discrimination, and increases the risk of statelessness.
“Bill that supports national security concerns, increasing the risk of discrimination and serious human rights violations, especially against minorities, migrants and refugees”, they stated, urging the Government to “reverse measures already taken”. this proposal”.
Stand up, speak out
In November, experts sent a letter to the Government of the United Kingdom, raising a range of concerns about the bill.
In addition to Ms. Mullally, the other experts who signed the statement were Felipe González Morales, Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants, Fionnuala Ni Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism and Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences.
Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences also endorsed the statement.
The special rapporteurs and independent experts appointed by the UN are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
