THE HOME Secretary will be able to decide which countries pose no serious threat of political persecution, ie those on the so called "white list". It is unclear as to what criteria will be used to decide this.
Before the recent political execuNigeria could be included in the list. rollowing its expulsion trom the Commonwealth, this is now unlikely. Likely inclusions are Turkey and Sri Lanka where political and ethnic minorities are daily facing political torture by the state and in some cases depopulation and genocide.
The bill severely narrows the deft nition of who is a refuge and closely lution under which asylum seckers who are not fleeing from persecution by the state but from, for example op. position groups, will no longer qualfy for asylum under the terms of the 1951 UN convention on refugoes.
This would affect people fleeing from counties such as Algena where the state is not willing or able to pro.... ers, including those from countries on the white ise will be subot to a fast track appeals system. Appeal will be only to a special adjudicator with no further right of appeal to an Immigration Tribunal or the Court of Appeal. This will create an entirely new class of immigrant and asylum seckers, effectively turning people into second class citizens.
Criminal offence
It will become possible to remove asylum seekers to "safe" third countries with they will have no right of appeal unless the appeal is made from outside the United Kingdom.
It will become a criminal offence for someone to enter or attempt to enter or remain in the UK by deception. This could be used to prosecute asylum seekers who enter the country with false documents Most asylum seckers are unable to obtain bona fide documentation from Assisting an "illegal entrant" including an asylum secker to enter or remain in the UK will become a criminal offence. This could result in the prosecution of lawvers, MPs. and even trade unions who assist and ad..
The Bill increases internal control by giving police and immigration officers greater powers of search and arrest. Certain areas couk be targeted. effectively placing all black peopic and those from ethnic minorities under suspicion.
Employing a person with no immigration entitlement to work in the UK will become a criminal offence.
To avoid prosecution, employers will therefore have to check the immigration status of all prospective emconsuming and costly many of them will merely not recruit black people from the black and ethnic communities.
Asylum seekers and immigrants without leave to remain could be denied any assistance with housing. Local authority housing officers could be required to check the immigration status of all housing applicants before making any provision.
In tandem with the Bill, changes to benefit regulations will come into effect on 5 February. Although these changes will not now mean that income Support is withdrawn from the maionty of existing asylum seekers. people who fail to claim refugee any right to claim welfare benefits.
In addition to this, the Bill will remove entitlement to Child Benefit for the children of asylum seckers. scribe today! ments not in British pounds. Name .... Address. Pest Code. Telephone 'TO SOCIALIST Socialist Outlook is Britain's best-selling socialist | fortnightly. For an internationalist, socialist and working-class perspective on world affairs, sub IA one year subscription cost £l7 for Britain or Ireland: {38 by air to China, Japan or Australasia; 650 for multi-reader institutions and solidarity subscribers; and £30 for the rest of the world. Send your cheque or postal order payable to 'Socialist Outlook Fund', PO Box 1109, London, IN4 2UU. Please add a sum equal to 67 to paySocialist Outlook 95 • January 20 1996.