HC Deb 29 October 2002 vol 391 cc759-60W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on applications for asylum by individuals citing threats from a blood feud as a basis for their application; and if he will make a statement. [77245]

Simon Hughes

Applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are considered individually on their merits in accordance with the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. Unless the applicant may reasonably be expected to seek asylum in a third country or the Dublin Convention applies, asylum is granted where the applicant fulfils the criteria in the 1951 UN Convention.

Where an application is based on a blood feud, then we will assess whether the circumstances are knowingly tolerated by the authorities in the country concerned, whether they are unwilling or unable to offer effective protection, or whether the applicant could reasonably have been expected to seek the protection of the authorities, or moved to another part of the country where he or she would be safe.