Nationality and Borders Bill — Before Clause 11 — Compliance with the Refugee Convention — 26 Apr 2022 at 22:15

The majority of MPs voted not to require that, so far as possible under new asylum laws, no refugees will be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom and to require a court or tribunal breaching that principle to make a declaration to that effect.

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 5D.

Lords amendment 5D stated:^[4]

• Insert the following new Clause—
• “Interpretation of Part 2
• (1) So far as it is possible to do so, the provisions of this Part must be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the Refugee Convention.
• (2) If a court or tribunal determining a question which has arisen in connection with the provisions of this Part cannot read and give effect to those provisions in a way which is compatible with the Refugee Convention, it must make a declaration to that effect

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."^[5]

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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 on 26 April 2022, Parliament.uk
• [5] 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR.org

Debate in Parliament |