Government Controls

Information providing updates on recent laws and legislation passed within the UK

Details about the UK Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill

Report from UK Body Asylum Support detailing Britain's role as a "Safe Haven"

Updated US Legislation including important legal aspects to customs control

US Department of State providing public service information

Liberty ; Watchdog that monitors the activity of Government within customs, asylum and human rights

International watchdog, One World campaigns for the rights of asylum seekers across the Globe

Refugee council providing links to reports

Research

The issue of asylum seekers is one of the major problems facing global politics today.

The role of the customs officer has changed beyond all recognition in the last decade, since they must deal sensitively with asylum seekers (see further information on this issue and a profile of a customs officer.)

Researching this issue can be awkward due to the vastness of its coverage, so a number of threads have been pulled together here to provide angles for research.

The Government links will provide up to date policy and legislation information from the UK and the US. To receive a Global perspective check out various pressure groups and monitoring bodies, such as Amnesty International

The story of Sangate and Dover are worth checking out since they illuminate much wider global issues connected with this trade in Human Traffic. They will also provide a link to the BBC's News Archive

Dover

The death of over 58 asylum seekers in Dover was one of the worst tragedy's in the human traffic trade. See a full analysis of how this trade is practiced by Chinese gangs smuggling individuals to the West at a high price.

Sangate

The Sangate detention centre in France caused controversy because of its proximity to the Channel Tunnel and the subsequent threat posed to customs officers. Read a profile of the camp and the issues surrounding its closure.

Further Links

For a direct comparison between US and European laws on Asylum, see Jose Latour

Asylum Seekers is a huge problem within Australian Politics. For a full analysis, see Don McMaster

For comment on British immigration policy, see Michael Dummett

Local UK Perspective on the issue of asylum.

See Jane Shackman for a legal angle on the human traffic trade.

See Angus Roxburgh and the Financial Times for a perspective on the rise of the Far Right in Europe which effects immigration policy and the role of customs.

See an Eastern European Perspective on Asylum Seekers.

The Guardian Newspaper has published a special report on Asylum Seekers within Britain. Contains news archive.

Gateway to Internet Resources on Migration and Nationalism. Internet Database for resources on Post-Communist Refugees.

For a broader analysis within the UK context, see work by Journalists Maggie O'Kane , Gary Younge , Andrew Anthony , Richard Norton Taylor , Abdulrazak Gurnah

Amnesty International is the most famous Global Human Rights campaigner. Visit their site and link to other work conducted throughout the Globe.

Human Rights Watch will provide links to human rights campaigner all over the Globe.

North of England Refugee Service will provide up to the minute policy changes as it effects communities.