The treatment of asylum seekers tenth report of session 2006-07, Vol. 1: Report and formal minutes

The Committee's report considers human rights issues raised by the treatment of asylum seekers, from the time when they first claim asylum in the UK, through to either the granting of asylum, or, for asylum seekers whose claims are refused, their departure from the UK. The numbers claiming asylum in the UK increased rapidly during the late 1990s, and even though the numbers have reduced significantly every year since 2002, the issue of asylum remains high on the political and public agenda. The Government is required to "secure to everyone within their jurisdiction" the rights contained within the European Convention on Human Rights, including asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers. Issues discussed include: the relevant principal human rights standards and obligations which apply to the UK under the European Convention of Human Rights and other international instruments to which the UK is a party; the system and quality of support available; the provision of healthcare to asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers, in particular the impact of the overseas visitors' charging regulations for secondary healthcare which were introduced in 2004, and proposals to extend this charging scheme to primary care; the Government's reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); the use of detention of asylum seekers and the need for training in refugee and human rights; and the treatment of asylum seekers by the media.