International Outrage Mounts as UK Home Secretary Faces UN Condemnation Over Disastrous Asylum System

The UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has been criticized by the UN Refugee Agency for her assertions that leaders around the world have been reluctant to improve the global refugee system due to concerns of being labeled as "racist or illiberal." Furthermore, Braverman claimed that the current asylum framework is contributing to "substantial incentives for illegal migration." In response to these remarks, the United Nations agency released an uncommon statement on Tuesday, defending the 1951 Refugee Convention while also condemning the United Kingdom's existing backlog of asylum cases.

"The Refugee Convention is crucial to the global refugee protection system and serves as a vital tool to save lives, allowing millions of individuals escaping conflict and persecution to find safety and receive protection in different countries," stated the UNHCR.

This statement was issued in response to the UK home secretary's address at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington on Tuesday. During her speech, she declined to dismiss the possibility of withdrawing from the international convention and raised doubts about its relevance in light of what she believed was a Western crisis of illegal immigration in the present era.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman delivers an address on migration challenges at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on September 26.

Braverman stated that Europe has faced a detrimental mix of uncontrolled immigration, insufficient integration, and a misguided belief in multiculturalism over the past few decades. He further explained that there has been an excessive and rapid influx of immigrants to the UK and Europe, with inadequate consideration given to integration and its effects on social cohesion.

Braverman's argument that fears of discrimination based on sexuality or gender alone should not be a valid reason for asylum has drawn criticism from both the UN and refugee charities.

"Let me clarify. In many parts of the world, being gay or being a woman is incredibly challenging. When individuals face persecution, it is our duty to provide sanctuary," she stated. "However, we cannot maintain a sustainable asylum system if merely identifying as gay or female, or fearing discrimination in one's home country, is enough to qualify for protection."

The 1951 Refugee Convention, formulated in the aftermath of World War II, establishes the universally accepted definition of a refugee and delineates the legal safeguards, entitlements, and support that are to be accorded to them. Its fundamental tenet emphasizes that a refugee should not be repatriated to a nation where their existence or liberty is gravely imperiled.

Braverman lauds the Refugee Convention as an extraordinary accomplishment of its time, yet argues that it is ill-suited to the contemporary era, marked by swift air travel and widespread internet accessibility that has fostered awareness of the markedly higher wages available in different regions across the globe.

"Seeking asylum and pursuing improved economic opportunities are not synonymous. Requesting refuge in the closest safe country or selectively choosing a desired destination differ in purpose. Experiencing human trafficking, involving involuntary transportation often leading to sex slavery, and being smuggled, which entails seeking someone's assistance to clandestinely enter a country, should not be conflated," Braverman conveyed.

"Engaging in any endeavor to amend the refugee convention will invariably result in accusations of being anti-refugee," she concluded.

In response, the UN Refugee Agency emphasized the necessity for enhanced and uniform implementation of the Convention and its fundamental principle of responsibility-sharing.

Divisive rhetoric

The agency emphasized the significant backlog of asylum cases in the UK. They mentioned having provided the British government with practical and effective suggestions to address the backlog and assist with the integration of individuals granted refugee status.

As of June 2023, the UK had over 215,000 asylum cases labeled as "work in progress." This includes approximately 138,000 cases awaiting an initial decision, 5,100 cases awaiting an appeal outcome, and around 41,200 cases that are subject to removal action, as stated in a recent research briefing by the UK parliament.

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An appropriate course of action in response to the surge in arrivals and the existing asylum backlog in the UK would involve enhancing and expediting the decision-making procedures. This measure would expedite the assimilation process of individuals identified as refugees and facilitate the prompt repatriation of those lacking a legal basis to remain," emphasized the UNHCR statement. "Furthermore, expanding secure and regulated avenues for refugees to travel to the UK would also provide viable alternatives to perilous and irregular journeys."

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman delivers a speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, England on October 4, 2022. The conference focuses on the theme of "Getting Britain Moving" to generate more employment opportunities and increase salaries. Despite the conference's goals, the Conservative Party trails behind Labour by 33 points in the opinion polls. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

"Meet Suella Braverman, the figurehead of Britain's culture wars, often dubbed as a Trump tribute act. Her strong stance on immigration has repeatedly drawn ire from international agencies, lawyers, rights groups, and even members of her own party."

She has built her political reputation on her promise to halt the influx of migrants crossing the English Channel on small boats, commonly referred to as the "Stop the Boats" campaign. Last year, the number of migrants arriving on these small vessels reached a record high of approximately 46,000.

In response to Braverman's recent remarks, the Refugee Council, a British asylum charity, emphasized on social media that all individuals fleeing persecution, including those for their sexual orientation or beliefs, should be entitled to safety.

The Refugee Council emphasized the importance of standing up for our shared humanity, stating that it is just as relevant now as it has ever been. They stressed that international frameworks are in place to ensure the protection of everyone. According to the UN's statement, the majority of refugees, 70%, are hosted by countries neighboring their own, while 76% are accommodated in low- and middle-income countries.

"The Refugee Convention, which is considered one of the most significant human rights instruments implemented, has played a crucial role in saving countless lives," stated Shabia Mantoo, the global spokesperson for UNHCR, on social media. The fact that there are currently 35 million refugees being accommodated by various countries worldwide stands as a testament to both the enduring significance of this convention and the widespread adoption of its fundamental principles." This report includes contributions from CNN's Rob Picheta.