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UK Makes U-turn, Recognises IPOB as Terrorist Group Excluded from Asylum
The Government of the United Kingdom(UK) has made a u-turn on its treatment of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), recognising Nigeriaâs classification of the group as a terrorist organisation.
According to the The Cable, in a May 2022 update of its asylum policy,  the UK government excluded members of the group from seeking refuge in England.
TheCable had reported in April 2021 that the UK was planning to grant asylum to persecuted members of the separatist group, as part of its refugee policy published at the time.
The policy, at the time, was for asylum to be granted to âpersecutedâ members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)â.
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The UKVI, a division of the Home Office, directed its decision makers to consider if a person âwho actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention, and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution.â
If the person can prove persecution, then the IPOB member or supporter could be granted asylum.
A few days after the policy notes were published, the UK government took it down, following complaints from the Nigerian government.
In July 2021, an updated policy on asylum was seen by TheCable, with no clear mention of IPOB, but more emphasis on Nigerians fleeing Boko Haramâs onslaught.
The UK said at the time that it would offer protection to âwomen, LGBTI persons and non-indigenesâ who âmay face additional discrimination which prevents them from being able to access effective protectionâ.
The UK government said Nigerians could now claim asylum in the UK if they face âfear of persecution and/or serious harm by members of Boko Haram because ofâ their âactual or perceived opposition to the groupâ.
However, in its May 2022 policy update seen by TheCable, UKVI referred to IPOB as a terrorist organisation to be excluded from its asylum programme over alleged links to violence in the south-east.
âIPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing â the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) â have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria,â UKVI said in its policy notes.
It added that âMASSOB has been banned, but is not a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. It too has reportedly been involved in violent clashes with the authoritiesâ.
UKVI went on to tell its decision makers that âif a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other âBiafranâ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.
âPersons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum,â the UK added.
The policy brief noted that anyone excluded in this manner is also âexcluded from a grant of humanitarian protectionâ.
UKVI also advised that âdecision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each caseâs specific factsâ.
Since the last update in July 2021, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB and a UK citizen, has been in the custody of the Nigerian government on the grounds of allegations, including treason.
In its 2022 new year message, the group said the Nigerian national anthem will no longer be sung across schools in the south-east.
(Thisday)
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