Legislative Scrutiny: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Debate
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Seema Malhotra
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Legislative Scrutiny: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
Seema Malhotra Excerpts(1 day, 17 hours ago)
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Alex Sobel
I thank the hon. Member for giving me the opportunity to address that, as I did not include those who have come to this country to seek asylum due to an impingement of their right to practise their faith or religious belief in their home country. We have seen an increase in asylum claims—I do not have the figures to hand—but the Committee’s consideration of that area in its inquiry on the Bill was in relation to the list of safe countries. Countries might be broadly safe, but not safe for individuals who are practising certain beliefs. I mentioned three countries, and of those the one where there are issues in that regard is India.
The Government should review the list of safe countries and have regard for the UN Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review in terms of the ability of an individual to practise their religion or belief in safety. That is an important consideration that the Government should take into account.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Seema Malhotra)
It is a pleasure to make a brief comment. I thank my hon. Friend for his statement and for applying to make it. I also thank the Committee for its work on the report. I assure him that the report is being read in detail and that the Government will respond in due course.