Illegal Migration Bill human rights implications examined
The Joint Committee on Human Rights continues pre-legislative scrutiny of the Illegal Migration Bill on Wednesday 29 March when it takes evidence from witnesses including representatives of Migration Observatory, Policy Exchange and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The Illegal Migration Bill was introduced on 7 March and is debated in the House of Commons this week. The Government has said the bill would deter illegal entry into the UK, combat people smuggling and make it easier to remove people who do not have a legal right to remain. It would also allow for an annual cap on the number of people admitted to the UK under ‘safe and legal’ asylum routes.
Likely areas of questioning
In this session the Committee will examine the provisions of the Bill and whether it is compatible with the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and international human rights and refugee treaties. This will include the new duty to remove people who arrive in the UK illegally, changes to modern slavery protections, and powers of detention. The session will also examine the current asylum situation in the UK.