IFIR Press Release 13 March 2023

International Federation of Iraqi Refugees strongly denounces the new Immigration Bill!
Rishi Sunak’s The UK Tory Prime Minister and the Home Office Secretary are proposing a stricter law on asylum seekers arriving by boat. The legislation violates international law, which protects refugee rights. The new law prohibits asylum seekers who arrive in the UK on small boats crossing the English Channel from claiming asylum and being returned to Europe or deported to Rwanda or another safe third country. Following a meeting in Paris, Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a joint funding agreement for more French border patrols, including 500 additional officers and new drones. Britain is also helping to fund a detention Centre in northern France as part of a £500m package to stop refugees trying to cross the Channel.

Dashty Jamal IFIR General Secretary said:
Rishi Sunak should consider why people flee their homeland. Many refugees are fleeing countries such as Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran, all of which have suffered because of UK foreign policy. Wars backed by the British state have ruined their lives. Furthermore, there are very few safe routes open for Middle Eastern refugees fleeing the aftermath of war to reach the UK.
This new UK policy is contrary to international law, specifically the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights. IFIR also denounces the Paris Summit agreement reached by Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron to fund a detention centre in Northern France.
Refugees seeking a better life should not be subjected to further mistreatment by both the British and French governments!” The Bill is inhumane and unworkable, effectively ending refugee protection rights in the UK. We urge all human rights organisations, activists, and people who value freedom to condemn Rishi Sunak’s policy bill and work together to stop it because it violates basic human rights legislation that protects refugees.

International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-IFIR