In a concerning revelation, human rights lawyer Shoaib Khan has exposed instances where fully grown asylum seekers are wrongly classified as children due to errors made by the Home Office. Khan shared his insights on GB News, reacting to data indicating that over 1,300 child migrants were inaccurately assessed as adults by the Home Office over an 18-month period.
Khan joined Martin Daubney on GB News to discuss the serious implications of these errors. He emphasized that mistakes in age assessment are happening without debate, stating, “I’m sure there are mistakes. I don’t think that’s really a matter of debate or contention. I’m sure there is.”
According to GB News, The crux of the matter, as Khan highlighted, lies in determining the best approach when faced with doubts about an individual’s age. The repercussions of such errors are significant, leading to the misclassification of individuals and raising questions about the appropriate treatment of those mistakenly deemed adults.
The report presented on GB News disclosed that nearly 500 child refugees were placed in detention centers or unsupervised adult accommodation due to incorrect age assessments. Disturbingly, children as young as 14 were among those wrongly judged to be adults.
Further findings indicated that 485 children referred to local authorities in England between January 2023 and June 2023 were discovered to be under 18, necessitating their immediate removal from unsafe facilities. This revelation raises concerns about the potential risks and vulnerabilities faced by young asylum seekers who are inaccurately treated as adults.
Government statistics highlighted that, in the year leading up to June 2023, there were 5,186 asylum applications from unaccompanied children arriving in the UK. The scale of the issue underscores the significance of accurate age assessments and the need for a robust and reliable process.
In response to the revelations, a Home Office spokesperson acknowledged the challenges associated with age assessments, citing the absence of a single precise method to determine a person’s age. The spokesperson outlined measures being taken to strengthen the age assessment process, including the establishment of the National Age Assessment Board and the specification of scientific methods for assessments.
Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned the implementation of measures under the Illegal Migration Act to swiftly remove individuals assessed as adults with no right to remain in the UK. However, the unfolding situation raises broader questions about the efficacy of existing processes and the importance of ensuring the accurate and humane treatment of asylum seekers, especially minors, within the UK’s immigration system.
