Oxfam reaction to UK Government plan to fly asylum seekers thousands of miles to offshore processing centre

Responding to today’s announcement that the UK Government will fly some asylum seekers thousands of miles to an offshore “processing centre”, Oxfam’s Head of Government Relations, Sam Nadel, said:

“This plan is not only cruel and immoral but also impractical. Everyone should have access to a fair asylum process.

“Alongside the harmful Borders Bill, this is yet another example of the Government abdicating its responsibility to provide a place of safety for those fleeing conflict and persecution.

“The war in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the importance of a functioning and humane asylum system. The UK should reverse this deeply damaging policy and, alongside a fair asylum system, should provide more safe and legal routes for people to reach safety in the UK.”