Nationality and Borders Bill — Clause 11 — Differential Treatment of Refugees — Impact — 20 Apr 2022 at 17:48

The majority of MPs voted not to guarantee treating refugees who have not "come to the United Kingdom directly from a country or territory where their life or freedom was threatened" and "presented themselves without delay to the authorities" differently from those who have will not impact a refugee's family unity or result in them being returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom

MPs were considering the Nationality and Borders Bill.^[1][2][3]

The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 6B.

Lords amendment 5B stated^[6]:

• Page 14, line 7, leave out subsections (5) to (8) and insert—
• “(5) The Secretary of State must make provision within the Immigration Rules to—
• (a) guarantee Group 1 and Group 2 refugees all of their rights under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and international law, without distinction;
• (b) ensure that the classification of a refugee as a Group 1 or a Group 2 refugee does not affect the ability to maintain the unity of that person’s family.”

Had it not been rejected this amendment would have impacted Clause 11 of the Bill^[2][3] titled: Differential treatment of refugees which provided for treating those who have come to the UK directly from a country or territory where their life or freedom was threatened and presented themselves without delay to the authorities from others.

In relation to the 1951 convention: "The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom."^[7]

The 1967 protocol provides for co-operation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.^[8]

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Nationality and Borders Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Nationality and Borders Bill, as brought to the House of Lords, from the Commons, on 9 December 2021, Parliament.uk
• [3] Explanatory notes to the Nationality and Borders Bill, as brought to the House of Lords, from the Commons, on 9 December 2021, Parliament.uk
• [4] Lords amendments to the Nationality and Borders Bill 15 March 2022, Parliament.uk
• [5] Explanatory notes on Lords amendments to the Nationality and Borders Bill 21 March 2022, Parliament.uk
• [6] Lords Message in connection with the Nationality and Borders Bill on 5 April 2022, Parliament.uk
• [7] 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR.org
• [8] 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, OHCHR.org

Debate in Parliament |