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| Dunja Mijatovic ©Council of Europe |
LONDON - The Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights on Monday urged the British Parliament to stop the government from passing a new law to combat illegal immigration, saying it "clearly and directly" contradicts core principles.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made it one of his top priorities to stop tiny boats entering the country from across the Channel, hoping a tough stance against illegal immigration will win over voters ahead of elections expected next year.
However, Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, said the Illegal Immigration Bill currently going through Parliament would undermine a key part of the protection system by preventing people arriving irregularly in Britain from having their asylum claims examined.
Mijatovic said in a statement:
- It is important that parliamentarians prevent the passage of legislation that is incompatible with the UK's international obligations.
- Passage of the bill would add to the already significant regression in the protection of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in the UK in recent years."
The measure is necessary, according to the government, to stop smuggling rings that exploit migrants and to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK in small boats, mainly from France.
Some members of Sunak's Conservative Party, however, want the laws to go further. Some are urging the government to withdraw Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to enforce stricter regulations.
Sunak has consistently stated that he believes the proposed law is consistent with international obligations and that Britain can enact it without violating the ECHR.
Sunak told reporters Monday:
This is ambitious legislation, the likes of which we have never seen before. It's important that it's effective, which it will be, but it's also important that we honour our international obligations. This is a country and a government that follows the law.
SOURCE: REUTERS
