CITIZENS for Sanctuary campaign to make the Independent Asylum Commission's recommendations a reality.

the independent asylum commission conducted its review of the uk asylum system between October 2006 and July 2008. The Commission has now completed its work and has produced over 180 recommendations to safeguard people who seek sanctuary here, while restoring public confidence in the UK’s role as a place of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.

the citizen organising foundation has begun a new campaign, CITIZENS for Sanctuary, to make those recommendations a reality. find out more at:

www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk

This site is now an archive of the commission's work.

Independent asylum commission, 2006-2008

Welcome to the Independent Asylum Commission.

Asylum is one of the most contentious issues in contemporary politics. It is consistently at the top of the public’s list of political concerns. Never far from the headlines, there is a widespread belief that the system is not “fit for purpose”.

Meanwhile, there are many reports of asylum seekers facing unfair treatment, destitution and a loss of dignity. And a recent citizens’ commission into conditions at Lunar House, the headquarters of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, called for an independent review of national asylum policies.

So concerned citizens across the country have asked our team of commissioners to conduct a truly independent review of the UK asylum system, from beginning to end. After eighteen months of gathering evidence we will produce a recommendations for reform in 2008 that are fair as well as forceful, and realistic as well as humane.

The commissioners will be investigating our asylum system on behalf of a whole range of citizens - from those who believe that asylum seekers are not being treated with humanity, to those who believe our asylum system is too generous.

Please use this website to keep track of the Independent Asylum Commission and find out how you can get involved. We want to hear from every citizen who is concerned by this issue and we urge you to engage with our work.

This Commission is accountable to citizens - and, indeed, to you.

Sir John Waite & Ifath Nawaz
Co-chairs, Independent Asylum Commission

Independent asylum commission publications

JULY 10th 2008 - THIRD REPORT OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Deserving Dignity
JUNE 30th 2008 - SECOND REPORT OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Safe Return
MAY 20th 2008 - FIRST REPORT OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Saving Sanctuary
MAY 20th 2008 - Saving Sanctuary Opinion Poll Results
MARCH 27th 2008 - INTERIM FINDINGS - Fit for Purpose Yet?