Nigerian and most African countries have were not included in the UK’s “Safe List” for countries whose citizens or travellers cannot be allowed to claim asylum in the UK as at date.
This Safe List of countries around the world are considered safe for her citizens and for citizens from other countries to seek safety even if they are persecuted in their home country.
In a recent development, the United Kingdom government, led by the now former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, added India and Georgia to this list of safe states.
This would mean that people who have arrived from these countries in the UK can now be removed even if they have claimed asylum. Adding India and Georgia in the list is to expedite the process of repatriating individuals who have arrived illegally from these countries.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the immigration system and curb abuse, particularly unfounded protection claims, aligning with the objectives of the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
The draft legislation presented in Parliament aims to address the increase in small boat arrivals from India and Georgia over the past year, even when individuals are not evidently at risk of persecution.
By designating these countries as safe, the UK asserts that claims to the asylum system will not be entertained for those arriving illegally from India or Georgia.
The UK’s existing safe states list includes countries such as Albania and Switzerland, along with member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the need to deter dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK from countries deemed fundamentally safe.
Expanding the list is seen as a measure to swiftly remove individuals without a legitimate right to stay in the country, reinforcing the message that illegal entry does not guarantee permission to remain.
The inclusion of a country in the safe states list is contingent on the Home Secretary’s satisfaction that there is generally no serious risk of persecution for its nationals.
Additionally, the removal of nationals to that country must align with the UK’s obligations under the Human Rights Convention. India and Georgia have undergone rigorous assessments, meeting the criteria set by the Home Office.
These measures are part of the broader Illegal Migration Act 2023, which aims to address illegal migration by enabling the detention and swift return of individuals who arrive illegally to a safe third country or their home country. The government remains committed to implementing further measures, including the duty to remove, in the coming months.
Despite these developments, it’s noteworthy that Nigeria and several other African countries are notably absent from the UK’s safe list.
This exclusion raises questions about the criteria used to designate countries as safe and the potential implications for individuals seeking asylum from African nations.
As Suella Braverman steps down from her role, the UK’s approach to immigration and asylum continues to be a subject of scrutiny and debate.
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