Providing protection in the 21st Century

Refugee rights at the heart of UK asylum policy: A report examining developments in UK asylum policy between 1997 and 2003.

The report shows how the UK Government placed itself at odds with the core values of the international refugee protection regime by basing its policies on restriction and deterrence. The report examines critically the range of increasingly punitive policies implemented by the UK government – from interdiction to administrative detention, the denial of support and access to justice.

A comprehensive set of recommendations outline what should underlie an asylum system that is fair to asylum seekers and treats them with humanity and dignity.