Migrant accused of sexual assault and suspected of chemical attack granted asylum after conversion request
Concerns are growing in the UK over the authenticity of asylum seekers’ claims of conversion to Christianity, with one notable case involving migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset. Reports indicate that a significant number of migrants housed on the barge attend religious services, sparking debate over the credibility of such conversions for asylum claims.
The issue gained attention following the case of Abdul Shokoor Ezedi, an Afghan migrant linked to the Clapham chemical attack in south-west London last Wednesday, who was granted asylum after converting to Christianity despite previous convictions for sexual offences.
Nearly 40 out of 300 migrants aboard the Bibby Stockholm participate in Christian practices, guided by local religious leaders, according to The telegraphadding that Home Secretary James Cleverly is expected to consider a report into Ezedi’s case, amid suggestions to strengthen scrutiny of conversion applications made by asylum seekers.
Ezedi is still on the run after the attack which seriously injured a woman and her children. He had claimed that his conversion to Christianity put him in danger in Afghanistan. His request was supported by a priest during his asylum appeal, despite the Home Office’s initial refusal. The case has raised questions about the role of British churches in endorsing migrant conversion stories, with some officials expressing skepticism about the authenticity of such conversions.
However, David Rees, a church elder, told the BBC that the conversions at Bibby Stockholm were sincere, highlighting the rigorous process involving public witness and baptism. Concerns persist over the exploitation of religious conversion claims, with calls for stricter verification processes.
The Home Office says its social workers are equipped to assess the credibility of claims of religious conversion, with a holistic assessment approach. Despite these measures, the court favored Ezedi’s appeal, citing the risk of persecution he would face as a convert if returned to Afghanistan. The decision sparked a debate over the effectiveness of current guidelines and the need for legal adjustments to prevent abuse of the asylum system.
In a opinion article For The Telegraph, Suella Braverman, who served as Home Secretary until November 2023, criticizes the exploitation of the British asylum system, in particular the manipulation of religious conversion requests.
“For years I defended the Home Office in immigration cases as a lawyer and saw the reality of our failing asylum system. Then, it was sham marriages and fake universities that allowed migrants to game our system,” she writes. “But, as interior minister, I saw how the racket continued and expanded in multiple ways.”
She adds: “Today it is adults pretending to be children, Muslims pretending to be Christians, heterosexuals pretending to be homosexual, healthy people pretending to suffer from mental illness, economic migrants who pose as refugees fleeing persecution, those who chose to come here claiming they were trafficked. like slaves, or those who pose as political dissidents.
Braverman argues for a reassessment of the UK’s adherence to international human rights laws, suggesting that these frameworks hinder the government’s ability to effectively control immigration. His comment reflects frustration with the current state of the UK’s border control and immigration policies, calling for more decisive action to tackle these challenges.
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