Your current location:HOME >business >Blow to Rishi Sunak's hopes for returning more small 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 19:32:17 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
Rishi Sunak's suggestion that more small-boat migrants could be returned to Vietnam has suffered a m
Rishi Sunak's suggestion that more small-boat migrants could be returned to Vietnam has suffered a major blow as government lawyers described the country as 'unsafe' for deportations.
The Prime Minister wants to counter a spike in Vietnamese arrivals by agreeing a returns deal similar to one which led to a dramatic fall in Albanian migrants.
But Home Office lawyers have now told ministers that Vietnam 'does not meet the criteria of a safe state'.
Legal advisers warned that the Communist country's government puts some individuals at 'real risk' of persecution.
They said the ruling regime does not tolerate public disapproval of their human rights practices and that any open criticism of the state is likely to lead to adverse scrutiny. Anti-government protesters, some religious groups, human rights activists and journalists would be particularly at risk, the officials advised.
Rishi Sunak's suggestion that more small-boat migrants could be returned to Vietnam has suffered a major blow as government lawyers described the country as 'unsafe' for deportations
The Prime Minister wants to counter a spike in Vietnamese arrivals by agreeing a returns deal similar to one which led to a dramatic fall in Albanian migrants (pictured: Vietnamese migrants in Dunkirk, France)
The Government's deal with Tirana at the end of 2022 made it easier to return Albanians who arrived here via small boats (pictured: Mr Sunak with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in March 2023)
As a result, the Home Office will not be able to treat Vietnamese asylum applications as 'inadmissible' under new laws passed last year by placing the country on its so-called 'safe list'.
Some 1,266 Vietnamese migrants arrived between January 1 and April 21, making up one in five of all small-boat crossings – up from 125 in the same period last year. Addressing the surge in crossings so far this year, Mr Sunak told Sky News at the weekend: 'Almost the entirety of that increase comes from one country – Vietnam. Last year we dealt with the problem that was illegal migrants from Albania –we returned thousands and saw the numbers drop. That shows you that deterrence works. We will be able to do that with Vietnamese as well.'
The Government's deal with Tirana at the end of 2022 made it easier to return Albanians who arrived here via small boats. In 2022, 12,600 made the journey. Last year, there were less than 1,000 and so far this year there have been just 20.
Existing arrangements with Vietnam meant there were just eight enforced returns to the country from April to June last year, Home Office data shows.
A spokesman for the Government said: 'Vietnam is safe for voluntary and enforced returns and we already have a strong returns agreement in place dating back to 2004. Earlier this month, both countries signed a joint statement with clear next steps in order to stop dangerous and illegal small-boat crossings.'
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world2024-05-21 18:57
New Zealand to put 'every single effort' into getting free trade deal with India2024-05-21 18:46
Coronavirus death toll in Italy surpasses China2024-05-21 18:12
Cathay Pacific asks staff to take three weeks unpaid leave as coronavirus hits bottom line2024-05-21 18:08
Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co2024-05-21 18:02
Truancy: Why it matters, what the law says and what is being done about it2024-05-21 17:52
Fighting rages across Gaza amid revival of truce talks2024-05-21 17:42
Coronavirus toll reaches 490 in China2024-05-21 17:06
Fresh heartache for cancer2024-05-21 17:05
Poppies to be replaced as Dannevirke RSA announces it won't be putting them on graves2024-05-21 16:47
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email2024-05-21 19:27
Coronavirus: People with blood type A 'more vulnerable' to COVID2024-05-21 19:26
Department of Conservation set to lose scientific expertise in job cuts2024-05-21 19:20
Roaming dogs kill up to 30 cats in one suburb as residents live in fear2024-05-21 19:05
'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes2024-05-21 18:59
Doctors who visited Gaza speak of 'atrocities', collapsing healthcare2024-05-21 18:46
Roaming dogs kill up to 30 cats in one suburb as residents live in fear2024-05-21 18:45
Speed reduction reversal welcomed by West Coast2024-05-21 18:20
The government wants to buy their flood2024-05-21 17:32
US call at UN for Gaza truce linked to hostages blocked2024-05-21 17:02