UK condemned over deeming India and Georgia ‘safe’ for people fleeing persecution
Plans to deem India and Georgia ‘safe’ countries to send people seeking asylum in the UK to are being fiercely criticised by migration organisations.
Late last year, the government announced its intention to update the ‘safe states’ list in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 in order “to speed up the process of returning people who have travelled from either country illegally.” Suella Braverman, who was Home Secretary at the time, said this was part of delivering on the highly controversial Illegal Migration Act, which makes it possible for those entering the country via “illegal” routes – such as by crossing the Channel in small boats – to be detained and removed. “We must stop people making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK from fundamentally safe countries,” she said in November. “Expanding this list will allow us to more swiftly remove people with no right to be here and sends a clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot stay.” Ahead of MPs debating the proposed changes on 10 January, Rainbow Migration, a charity that provides practical and emotional support to LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum, has highlighted that plans to send people seeking asylum to India and Georgia fail to consider the safety of those who are queer. READ MORE: Government condemned for passing “cruel and callous” Illegal Migration Bill “Singling out people by nationality is dangerous,” a spokesperson told GAY TIMES. “Everyone should have the right to seek safety here if they need it, no matter where they come from. “Imagine experiencing violence for being LGBTQI+ in your home country and fleeing to the UK hoping to find safety, only to be told that your country is deemed safe for everyone and you’ll be sent straight back.
It’s utterly cruel. “Most of us would welcome LGBTQI+ people who can’t be themselves in other countries and are hoping to rebuild their lives in the UK.
