§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to remove failed Afghan asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [161620]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 15 March 2004]The Home Office determines asylum and human rights applications from Afghan nationals on their individual merits according to the UK's obligations under the terms of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights.
If an application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities against that decision. Should a claim be refused and any appeal be unsuccessful that means that, for that individual, return to Afghanistan would be safe. We consider it reasonable to expect an individual in that position to return to Afghanistan.
The Government's preferred option for repatriating Afghan asylum applicants whose asylum claims have been rejected and appeal rights exhausted is assisted voluntary return, in line with the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Voluntary Return between the UK, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Afghan Transitional Administration. There are two voluntary return programmes operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which are available to Afghans wishing to return to Afghanistan. The Return to Afghanistan Programme (RAP) offers financial assistance of £600 for individuals and up to £2,500 for families in addition to a flight and the offer of a training and employment package in Afghanistan. The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is the UK's generic voluntary returns programme which is also open to Afghans. VARRP provides a flight for returnees and in kind 1098W reintegration assistance in the country of origin. This may include help to access initial housing, employment, education or health services. IOM can also provide assistance in setting up a small business.
The Explore and Prepare Programme for Afghanistan was hunched on 28 October 2003. This programme allows Afghans with status in the UK to return to Afghanistan to explore the possibility of making a permanent return without affecting their immigration status in the UK.
On 28 April 2003 in line with our stated intentions and as agreed with the Afghan authorities we commenced enforced returns to Afghanistan. We are returning those not found to be in need of international protection or granted any other form of leave to remain who do not depart voluntarily. Those individuals or groups identified as vulnerable are excluded from the programme of enforced returns.