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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Djanogly:: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Iraqi prisoners of war being treated in hospitals in the UK will be eligible to claim asylum. [108032] Beverley Hughes: [holding answer 8 April 2003]: There is currently a hold on deciding all asylum claims from Iraqis. However, there is currently no question of Iraqi prisoners of war in the UK being granted asylum or Humanitarian Protection. Despite the hold, all Iraqi asylum applicants are fingerprinted and checked against the Immigration Service Warnings Index computer system. As part of the initial screening process, all claimants are interviewed comprehensively about the routes and methods employed to reach the UK. Any cases giving rise to security concerns are immediately referred to the appropriate agencies. When decision-making is resumed, all claims will be considered on their individual merits against the circumstances which then apply in Iraq. But anyone who commits a war crime or is guilty of terrorist acts will be denied asylum, as the Refugee Convention requires. So, too, will anyone committing a serious non-political crime before arrival in the UK. In addition, any other person whether asylum seeker or refugee who poses a threat to national security will be denied the protection of the Refugee Convention. It will not be possible to establish a claim for asylum simply on the basis of having been a Ba'ath Party official, of having supported Saddam Hussein or having been forced to join the party or fight against UK/US troops. We do not expect Iraqis to face persecution following its liberation. We therefore envisage the progressive return ofIraqis to their country now that large scale combat operations are over. They will have an important role to play in rebuilding Iraq's economy and civic society. Arrangements will be made for senior officers to consider any claims raising security concerns, including any evidence of having fought against UK/US troops, or where anything other than outright refusal is anticipated.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

108032; 405 c216-7W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Asylum Armed conflict Hospitals Eligibility Iraq NHS Prisoners of war Iraq conflict

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk