Serious Concerns Expressed Over UK’s Proposed Nationality and Borders Bill
November 3, 2021Organisations supporting refugees and people seeking asylum have expressed serious concerns about the UK’s proposed Nationality and Borders Bill.
People seeking asylum who feel they are being persecuted and criminalized because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, deserve to be treated with equality, dignity, respect and safety. There are countless examples of the hardship faced by LGBTQ+ people when escaping harm and torture. Tarek Chowdhury’s story of how he fled Bangladesh to seek safety in the UK , for example, is just one of the many stories of an asylum seeker seeking safety.
The Nationality and Borders Bill was introduced to the House of Commons in July 2021, and is now being scrutinised by the Public Bill Committee, who are expected to report to the House by 4 November 2021.
The proposed Bill suggests:
- Allowing differential treatment depending on how one reaches the UK.
- Increasing the standard of proof.
- Changes to appeals processes, including removing stages of appeal or fast-tracking certain cases, removes important safeguards that prevent injustice and would amount to the re-introduction of a process that was previously found to be unlawful.
Amnesty International states that despite Ministers asserting the measures included are aimed at cutting costs, breaking up people smuggling gangs and protecting people seeking asylum, the Bill actually fails to deliver in all these areas, amongst many others. Additionally, Amnesty believes the new proposals will lead to greater suffering . Both the Law Society and the Refugee Council have listed their concerns on their websites, as well as what concerned individuals can do to help.
How you can help
You can help by lending your support to local organisations supporting LGBTQ+ Refugees and people seeking asylum, by clicking here. You can also write to your local MP asking them to oppose the proposed Bill.