Deportation – An abuse of Human Rights?

While framing laws, the priority is to ensure fairness to all. Law has certain provisions in to protect rights of the individual. The aim is to see to it that the establishment does not take its power for granted. However, at times, these very provisions are misused by individuals and prevent the law from taking its natural course. This is exactly what happened in Britain!

A matter of Concern: Sheikh Raed Salah, an Israeli national arrived in London last weekend for a series of speeches in the country. Salah, being described as virulently anti – Semitic, has been barred in the UK by the Home Secretary Mrs. Theresa May. This decision is pursuant of the section 3 of the Immigration Act 1971, on grounds that his presence is not conducive to the public good.

Salah’s name is on the ‘no – fly’ exclusion list. Despite this, Salah was able to walk through immigration unchecked. He was detained in London on Tuesday, four days after his arrival, on the personal orders of Mrs. May. The question foremost in everyone’s mind is that if a ‘no – fly’, barred preacher can enter the country easily, how safe are we, given the all pervading influence of terrorism in today’s world.

Misuse of the Human Rights Act: Though there are direct orders from the Home office to remove Salah from the country, it may not be an easy task. Salah’s lawyers claim that his deportation is a breach of the article 10 of the Labour’s Human Rights Act, which guarantees freedom of expression to every individual. And they are taking their case to court. The government now has to spend valuable time and money in trying to deport an individual, who was barred entry into the country in the first place.

The UKBA under Fire: The United Kingdom Border Agency is directly responsible for this episode. For the home secretary’s ban on Salah’s entry in the UK to be effective, the agency needed to serve exclusion orders on Salah, prior to his travel. Obviously the UKBA did not do so. Further they did not detain him at Heathrow, where, Salah waltzed through immigration with his original name and passport, hiding nothing. A visibly incensed and embarrassed home secretary has ordered a full enquiry to look into this.

All eyes on PM Cameron: PM has to take tough measures now in addressing such rampant abuse of the Human Rights Act, which leave Britain borders open. The task at hand is to support Mrs. May’s stand and ensure removal of Salah at the earliest. It is also time to replace the Human Rights Act with the British Bill of Rights.