Grant amnesty than terrifying the migrant community, Amjad Malik 

human rights act is a prized gift to British people, and ‘Amnesty’ is the only solution to the immigration problem with robust checks for future

Human Rights Lawyer and chair of the Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK) Amjad Malik has asked British Prime Minister to consider ‘Amnesty’ for migrants live in UK in a backlog and working for years in Britain illegally and are living below poverty line and may not be returned due to reprisals.

He was talking to media in response to British Home Secretary Theresa May’s announcement that they are circling the net around illegal immigrants to tighten up rules and bring new measures to curb illegal migration in Britain.

Earlier Prime Minister David Cameron in a statement at an Institute of Migration in Oct 2011 also confirmed to introduce measures to end illegal migration, ending forced marriages, and invited citizens to assist local enforcement units to detect arrest and return illegal immigrants.

Amjad Malik Responded that law on an other law will not crack down illegal migration unless Prime Minister addresses the issue, which is current backlog of existing failed asylum seekers, overstayers, and families with children living in Brain for over 5 years.

Migration watch estimated the figure of around ½ million in 2007 and it is not still less though Home Office accepts a lesser figure which is being economical with the truth. Before current Govt we heard claims that former Home Secretary is introducing 'Watch list' of people not entitled to public services, Enforcement teams to track down bosses employing illegal workers, Compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals Text alerts for people overstaying visas, Possible £20,000 fines for landlords housing illegal immigrants, Remove driving licences, Pilot schemes to use ID card data to ensure migrants pay for NHS care, and here in 2011 we are back to square one, hearing the same diagnosis and pompous claims and reality is that we have an unsorted  backlog, we are not removing those staying behind, and both Govt’s have no policy on it except to criticise Human Rights Act on cats and dogs.

Amjad Malik said that the estimated figure of legal migration is well over 1.5 million who include work permit holders nurses and teachers, workers from accession states, general migrants and Highly skilled and successful asylum seekers and their families. We have no figure as to how many are coming from Europe. Condition of English, history and culture tests for British nationality must not be imposed on non EU citizens especially Asians as it will be discriminatory. Cash bonds as a guarantee will affect intercontinental visit exchanges of the relatives of immigrant community as not all will be able to pledge thousands of pounds and it will affect greatly the people of sub-continent and Africa i.e India, Bangladesh & Pakistan.

He said Human Rights Act is a prize gift to the British people. Use it better with the help of the court, and do not let it be abused but talk of ending it will be an insanity as we must move forward not backward.

He suggested to Prime Minister of UK and Home Secretary to consult with stake holders to  grant General Amnesty and grant 5 years work permits to all those who are herein UK on the condition that they register themselves within certain grace period and have no criminal conviction.

He said that’s the only way that half of the measures he is suggesting will automatically be addressed, people before him tried tracing ‘immigrants’ with text messages and failed and suggested measures through amnesty  will ensure registration, migrants will work on books and contribute to national economy and pay national insurance and tax plus they will learn language and culture openly and freely to qualify for permanent stay after total 5 years of legal stay.

He warned that public must not be asked to carry out ‘witch hunt’ against migrants, and service providers to discriminate than providing effective service and do the job of policing as that is the job of the Govt to detect, remove or process those staying without a lawful reason and the govt must carry out their duty themselves otherwise people will assume things based on colour and appearance and there is already discrimination based on internal prejudices and colour.

Whilst doing that , APL chair expects a statement from British Premier David Cameron ensuring that any changes to the immigration system will operate in a fair, transparent and judicious manner, while protecting and promoting the competitive position of successful UK businesses and compliance with basic human rights of the individuals duly protected by the Geneva Convention 1951 and European Convention on Human Rights 1950 as 

Due process and fair trial is a right not a favour, Protection from inhuman treatment and torture a national duty than a moral obligation, said Amjad Malik, Chair of the APL

Barrister Amjad Malik, is a Chair Association of Pakistani lawyers and was commenting on Home Secretary’s statement on immigration

12 October  2013