Written question asked by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 February 2005. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the Government's responsibilities to asylum seekers under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answer: Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's responsibilities to asylum seekers under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. [212261] Mr. Browne: As a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the United Kingdom must not remove any asylum applicant if to do so would expose them to a well founded fear of persecution. We are proud of the United Kingdom's record in providing a safe haven for refugees, many of whom are fleeing in fear of their lives from the most desperate human cruelty. Like all other developed countries, we will continue to meet our obligations under the Refugee Convention which is part of a legal and ethical framework that enshrines basic principles of human decency. The European Convention on Human Rights imposes various obligations on States in their treatment of everyone within their jurisdiction, which includes asylum seekers. ECHR caselaw also prohibits the return of anyone to a place where they would face a real risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 212261; 430 c1143-4W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Asylum Deportation Human rights European Convention on Human Rights Torture Refugee Convention Oppression
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk