The Designation of “Safe” Countries and Individual Assessment of Asylum Claims

One of the most significant features of recent asylum policy changes in the United Kingdom has been the introduction and subsequent expansion of abbreviated procedures for the determination of asylum applications and appeals. These measures have involved a “safe third country” policy which was brought within an accelerated procedure for unfounded claims in 1993 and given legislative form in 1996, ¹ the Short Procedure introduced as a practical measure in 1995, ² and the authorisation of a system of designating 74countries of origin as safe under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. ³ Speedy and efficient disposal of asylum applications, with appropriate safeguards, is undoubtedly to the benefit of all concerned. However, the government’s resolve to introduce stronger measures to curb illegal “economic” immigration, ⁴ as expressed in the Asylum and Immigration Bill 1995, met with considerable opposition and serious criticism both inside and outside parliament. ⁵