ID cards for refugees in U.K.

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, OCT. 30. In a radical overhaul of Britain's overburdened and much-abused asylum system, the Government has decided to introduce identity cards for asylum seekers, tighten up ``reporting'' procedures for applicants to make sure that they don't ``disappear'' while their cases are being processed, and scrap the voucher system in response to widespread criticism that it ``stigmatizes'' voucher- holders. The new measures, to be introduced gradually beginning next January, seek to counter Britain's image as a haven for illegal immigrants.

The changes, which bring the asylum regime closer to the Tories' tough approach, received a cautious response with refugee groups and human rights activists welcoming the decision to scrap the ``hated'' voucher scheme but expressing reservations about the proposal to introduce ``smart'' ID cards.

They were also critical of the move to set up ``accommodation'' centres for asylum applicants saying that this was another way of ``detaining'' asylum-seekers and restricting their freedom of movement. Another proposal that attracted criticism related to restrictions on the right to appeal against refusal of asylum.

The Home Secretary, Mr. David Blunkett, who is seen to have overturned most of his predecessor, Mr. Jack Straw's policies, said the old system needed ``radical and fundamental'' reform to make it both fair to genuine asylum-seekers and protect it from abuse. ``The message at home and abroad must be crystal clear but tough - sending a signal to people throughout the world that the United Kingdom is not a soft touch,'' he said. At the same time Britain should not be perceived as a ``fortress'', he said.

The Speaker of the Commons, Mr. Michael Martin, sparked controversy by standing up and congratulating Mr. Blunkett for scrapping the voucher system. Traditionally, the Speaker is not expected to express personal opinion and his intervention prompted demands that he apologise for breaking the time-honoured ``neutrality'' rule. The Times quoted ``veteran parliamentarians'' as saying that this was the ``only time in living memory and possibly in the history of Parliament'' that the Speaker had expressed an opinion.

Reacting to the new policy, Mr. Bill Morris, general secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union, opposed the move to introduce ID cards saying it would ``retain all the stigmatization and division of the present (voucher) system'' - a view echoed by refugee groups which said smart cards would be no better than vouchers as those carrying them would be immediately identified as refugees.

They particularly objected to fingerprints being embossed on the cards. ``The so-called smart cards will exacerbate the problems that asylum seekers already face in accessing the basic services to which they are entitled,'' Mr. Nick Hardwick of the Refugee Council said.

On ``accommodation'' centres, a spokesman for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said these could become vulnerable to racist attacks. ``The only workable option is for people to live in the community and have access to proper advice and support services,'' according to an official of Asylum Aid.

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Section  : International
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