Press Archives

Thursday 16 September 2004

Statement by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants on reported Prime Ministerial announcement tomorrow regarding increased removal of failed asylum seekers

Habib Rahman, JCWI Chief Executive, said:

"We are increasingly concerned at the bias in Government statements on asylum on abuses of the system. While abuse must be tackled, we should not lose sight of the fact that an asylum system is in place because there are people genuinely fleeing persecution who require the UK's protection.

The current emphasis on abuse is misleading and effectively demonises people who look to us for help because they are in danger and share our democratic values.

"While it is also right that the asylum process should be as efficient as possible JCWI is also worried that the bias on dealing with asylum applications at speed may jeopardise the ability of those with sound claims to receive a fair hearing. This may result in some asylum applicants being wrongly returned to dangerous situations in their countries of origin."