THE British government has been urged to overhaul its systems to ensure that the Windrush generation mistakes are not repeated.
Lessons Not Learned, the report published on Wednesday (18) by Freedom from Torture and seven other leading organisations, exposes the government's "historical and systemic failures of asylum decision-making."
The report examines 50 reports from 17 organisations to analyse the quality of Home Office refugee decision-making, and pointed out that procedures that led to the suffering of the Windrush generation are continuing to cause problems.
It also said the Home Office continues to carry out flawed credibility assessments that are hurting individuals.
An example of flawed reasoning by the Home Office is the case where a doctor documented a woman's torture scars and found them to be consistent with her claims. But the department rejected the expert medical evidence saying it was not reliable as the doctor had not witnessed the torture himself.
Another case is of a 13-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan who fled to the UK after his father was killed by the Taliban, with whom he was involved.
Rejecting the teen's case, a Home Official said: "It is considered to be inconsistent that you claim your father was associated with the Taliban when you did not like them."
The report also calls on home secretary Priti Patel to end the toxic narratives around immigration.
Steve Crawshaw, director of policy and advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said: “The impact of poor decision making can be devastating – for many it’s a matter of life and death. There are early signs of efforts to change the culture within the Home Office but root and branch reform is urgently needed. Windrush exposed the terrible human cost when the Home Office gets it wrong. The government has a chance to make this right.”
Terming Windrush the result of institutionalised racism, a culture of disbelief and the migrant scapegoating myths peddled by politicians, Satbir Singh, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: "This searing report lays bare the suffering and injustice inflicted on the most vulnerable asylum seekers. Our shared future can and should be one where the UK takes a constructive and global lead so that people who flee in fear for their lives are protected, and so that everyone who moves here is treated with humanity. Priti Patel must read this report and implement its lessons."
Referring to the report, a Home Office spokesperson said the government has made significant changes to its asylum system.
“The UK has a proud record of providing protection to those fleeing persecution. In the 12 months to June we gave protection to over 18,500 people, the highest number since 2003,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
“This report brings together information from reports that are up to 15 years old. The Home Office has made significant changes over this period and continues to work with Freedom from Torture and other organisations to improve the asylum system,” the spokesperson added.
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)