Home Secretary calls for reform of UN Refugee Convention
In a stark declaration, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated that individuals crossing from France to the UK by small boat are not "fleeing imminent peril" and do not have a "good cause" for entry. Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, Braverman called on global leaders to reconsider the outdated 1951 UN Refugee Convention which she argues is fueling the European small boats crisis. She emphasized the need to question whether the convention, and its interpretation in courts, is suitable for the modern age.
Outdated and unsustainable global asylum rules
Braverman criticized the current global asylum rules, stating that they are outdated and have expanded in a way that allows illegal migrants to "shop around" for a destination country. She called the current system "absurd and unsustainable" as it allows individuals to pass through multiple safe countries before choosing their preferred location to claim asylum. Braverman stressed that seeking asylum should be distinct from seeking better economic prospects and argued against a system that grants protection solely based on characteristics such as gender or sexual orientation.
Controlled borders and failed multiculturalism
The Home Secretary emphasized the importance of states having the power to control their borders, warning that without this, borders would not long survive and could lead to public unrest. Braverman criticized the concept of multiculturalism, stating that it has failed in Britain because it allowed individuals to live parallel lives without integrating into society. She argued that multiculturalism places no demands on newcomers to assimilate and ultimately undermines social cohesion.
Heightened criminality and the impact on the UK
Braverman revealed that UK police chiefs have informed her of increased levels of criminality, including drug crime, exploitation, and prostitution, as a result of the recent influx of small boats crossing into Britain. She argued that individuals who choose to enter the UK illegally from another safe country have already demonstrated contempt for the country's laws.
Reaction to Braverman's speech
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized Braverman's speech, accusing her of targeting and scapegoating the LGBT community. Cooper described the speech as deeply divisive and damaging political game-playing, urging Braverman to focus on addressing the chaos within the UK's asylum system instead.
