Conservative proposals to strip judges of their powers in asylum seeker appeals and abolish the judicial tribunal system have been condemned by refugee groups and lawyers as an "attack on the concept of justice and equality under the law."
The proposed changes could significantly alter the asylum process in the UK, potentially leading to more deportations and reducing access to justice for vulnerable individuals seeking protection, while also raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary and legal profession.
Refugee groups and legal professionals have strongly condemned proposed Conservative plans to strip judges of their authority in asylum appeals and dismantle the existing judicial tribunal system. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp announced that a future Conservative government would withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and replace the independent appeal process with an internal Home Office review, while also eliminating legal aid for immigration cases.
Critics, including Sile Reynolds of Freedom from Torture and Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council, described the proposals as an "attack on the concept of justice and equality under the law" and a removal of democratic safeguards. Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, stated that abolishing immigration tribunals would eliminate independent oversight, deeming accusations of judicial bias unfair as judges operate within the law.
Philp argued that the current system grants judges excessive power, citing cases he considered contrary to common sense, such as allowing an Albanian burglar with numerous convictions to remain in the UK. He suggested that under the new plans, most individuals arriving illegally would be returned to their country of origin, though a power to send them to a safe third country like Rwanda would exist.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is proceeding with replacing the current two-tier tribunal system with a single independent appeals body aimed at expediting cases.