Source · Select Committees · Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 18
18
Acknowledged
Exclusions from the protections of the Refugee Convention are permitted in circumstances where individuals have...
Conclusion
Exclusions from the protections of the Refugee Convention are permitted in circumstances where individuals have committed “particularly serious crimes”. We acknowledge that the exclusion of individuals who pose a danger to the community is an important measure, and we support the Government’s intention to ensure that dangerous sex offenders cannot benefit from the protections of the Refugee Convention. (Conclusion, Paragraph 156) Serious Crime Prevention Orders
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the Committee's support for the clause which classifies certain sexual offences as 'particularly serious' for Refugee Convention purposes. The government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sexual offences and ensuring dangerous offenders do not benefit from protection status.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the Committee’s support for this clause, which will classify sexual offences which give rise to the notification requirement in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as being ‘particularly serious’ for the purpose of applying Article 33(2) of the Refugee Convention (under which those who are convicted of particularly serious crimes or who present a danger to the security of the relevant country, do not benefit from prohibition of refoulement). The Government recognises the devastating impact of sexual violence on victims and communities and are absolutely committed to tackling sexual offences and halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. It is imperative that asylum seekers and refugees who have been convicted of particularly serious crimes do not benefit from protection status. Not only have they failed to respect the laws of the UK by committing heinous acts, but they have also undermined public confidence in the ability of the state to protect the public.