Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LONDON2484
2009-11-04 13:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy London
Cable title:
SUDAN: UK HOME OFFICE GRANTS NON-ARAB DARFURIS
how-toVZCZCXRO8810 PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV DE RUEHLO #2484 3081355 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 041355Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3878 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0131
UNCLAS LONDON 002484
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR S/USSES, PRM/AFR (BRENNAN GILMORE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG SU UK
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UK HOME OFFICE GRANTS NON-ARAB DARFURIS
ASYLUM
UNCLAS LONDON 002484
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR S/USSES, PRM/AFR (BRENNAN GILMORE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG SU UK
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UK HOME OFFICE GRANTS NON-ARAB DARFURIS
ASYLUM
1. (SBU) In a break with the UK's previous policy on granting
asylum to Darfuri refugees on a "carefully considered
case-by-case basis," the UK Home Office announced November 2
that "all non-Arab Darfuris," who have not committed a
serious crime, regardless of political affiliation "qualify
for asylum." The UK Home Office previously held that it
"would not be unduly harsh" to expect persecuted Darfuris to
relocate to safer regions of Sudan, including Khartoum.
2. (SBU) The UK Home Office cited a number of recent
developments in Sudan that have contributed to the change in
policy. It noted that the March 2009 ICC arrest warrant
against President Bashir and the subsequent expulsion of NGOs
from Darfur severely limited sources of information and
"meant we have been unable to obtain sufficient reliable
information to allay concerns of a heightened risk to
non-Arab Darfuris in Khartoum." UK media noted, however,
that the Home Office has been fighting a Sudan Country
Guidance Case which was due to come to court on November 16
and suggested this may have led to the change in policy. The
Home Office has since withdrawn all negative decisions in the
case and announced that the asylum cases involved would be
handled in line with the new policy. Media reporting
estimates that the new decision will affect 2,000 plus UK
asylum seekers and has been hailed as a victory for NGOs and
Diaspora groups involved.
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom
LeBaron
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR S/USSES, PRM/AFR (BRENNAN GILMORE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG SU UK
SUBJECT: SUDAN: UK HOME OFFICE GRANTS NON-ARAB DARFURIS
ASYLUM
1. (SBU) In a break with the UK's previous policy on granting
asylum to Darfuri refugees on a "carefully considered
case-by-case basis," the UK Home Office announced November 2
that "all non-Arab Darfuris," who have not committed a
serious crime, regardless of political affiliation "qualify
for asylum." The UK Home Office previously held that it
"would not be unduly harsh" to expect persecuted Darfuris to
relocate to safer regions of Sudan, including Khartoum.
2. (SBU) The UK Home Office cited a number of recent
developments in Sudan that have contributed to the change in
policy. It noted that the March 2009 ICC arrest warrant
against President Bashir and the subsequent expulsion of NGOs
from Darfur severely limited sources of information and
"meant we have been unable to obtain sufficient reliable
information to allay concerns of a heightened risk to
non-Arab Darfuris in Khartoum." UK media noted, however,
that the Home Office has been fighting a Sudan Country
Guidance Case which was due to come to court on November 16
and suggested this may have led to the change in policy. The
Home Office has since withdrawn all negative decisions in the
case and announced that the asylum cases involved would be
handled in line with the new policy. Media reporting
estimates that the new decision will affect 2,000 plus UK
asylum seekers and has been hailed as a victory for NGOs and
Diaspora groups involved.
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom
LeBaron