Shabana Mahmood’s asylum legislation change ‘dangers punishing trafficking victims’ warning forward of crunch vote
EXCLUSIVE: Charities have called on MPs to reject changes to settlement rules for trafficking victims as the government’s Immigration and Asylum Bill is put in front of the Commons on Monday
Charities have called on MPs to reject changes to asylum rules affecting trafficking victims(Image: Unknown)
Trafficking survivors face being “punished” if Shabana Mahmood’s latest asylum legislation becomes law, human rights groups have warned.
Campaigners have voiced outrage over the Home Secretary’s plan to tear up legal duty for recognised victims to remain in the UK to support their recovery. On Monday the government’s Immigration and Asylum Bill will be put in front of MPs, with Ms Mahmood promising the biggest shake-up of the asylum system in a generation.
Measures included in the bill include stripping judges of powers to decide removal appeals and creating a means-tested £10,000 charge for successful asylum seekers. The Home Secretary proposes removing the government’s duty to grant leave to remain to confirmed trafficking victims if staying is deemed necessary to support their recovery.
She argues loopholes in the current law are too often abused, but charities have called on Parliament to reject the bill. Kamena Dorling, director of policy at the Helen Bamber Foundation, told The Mirror: “The government has failed to explain how removing this protection is compatible with the UK’s international obligations to trafficking survivors. MPs should reject this Bill. A system that punishes survivors does not tackle trafficking. It makes it easier for traffickers to exploit vulnerable people and harder to bring them to justice.”
Under the current system, leave to remain may be granted to recognised victims to support recovery, enable compensation claims or assist with criminal investigations and prosecutions. Ms Dorling said there are already concerned about the low number of recognised trafficking survivors granted leave to remain. She went on: “Removing this protection entirely would leave some of the most vulnerable people in our society trapped in limbo, unable to recover from the trauma they have endured and living in constant fear of detention, removal or homelessness.
“This proposal sends a deeply worrying message that the government is prepared to weaken protections for people it has already recognised as victims of trafficking.”
The foundation was joined by Anti-Slavery International, the Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU), and ECPAT UK, in sounding the alarm.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Immigration and Asylum Bill will reform human rights laws to preserve protection for those in need, while bearing down on abuse of the asylum system. We have also recently announced that the rollout of new safe and legal routes for refugees will begin in the autumn. Our reforms will strengthen protections for victims – especially vulnerable children – of these awful crimes.
“They will ensure every trafficked and exploited child receives a dedicated independent guardian to support their safeguarding and recovery.”
Setting out her plans last month, Ms Mahmood said: “Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution. But this system only survives if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled, and not open to abuse.
“I will open new legal routes for genuine refugees, while closing loopholes that have been too often abused. My goal is simple: to ensure we have an asylum system not just today, but for generations to come.”
