ONE of the clauses in the controversial new Nationality and Borders Bill seeks to revoke the British citizenship of members of ethnic minority communities without notice under the guise of national security.
Now a British Pakistani whose home is in Glasgow has launched a petition on Change.org against Clause 9, saying it is against international law and would be especially problematic for British Asian Muslims.
Kashif Iqbal, who manages a men’s grooming salon in the city, started the petition before MPs passed the Bill, and so far it has gathered around 145,000 signatures.
He said the UK Government had “quietly” made the changes to Clause 9, to allow the removal of citizenship should an individual be deemed a security threat.
READ MORE: Here are the five cruellest parts of the UK Nationality and Borders Bill
“The changes are draconian and offer an individual little to no chance to appeal,” he said.
“It is against international law to deprive a person of citizenship and inhumane not to allow one to appeal a decision made in their absence or knowledge. This practise is alien and frowned upon even by the UK's closest allies.
“Even the worst criminals are allowed to make an appeal and do not have their citizenship revoked but are dealt with under the rule of law.
“The clause to strip a person’s citizenship without notice should not be allowed to be made law. This must be debated.”
Iqbal, 38, said he was aware the Bill had been passed, but it was not too late for amendments to be made.
“It's not the end at the moment, because it will go to the Lord's now and they can send it back with amendments, if they don't agree,” he said. “But because there’s such a massive outcry amongst communities like mine and the Sikh community, I’m trying to create a greater awareness of the clause.
“It is especially problematic to British Asian Muslims against whom this law has been used and who will now live in fear as migrants in the UK despite, being born here and living here all their lives.
“An individual should be given enough time to make a legal challenge in a British court of law before any decision to revoke citizenship is made.”
“People can still write to their MPs and see what they can do to change the Bill.”
Iqbal said he was trying to make people more aware of the detail of the legislation before the House of Lords began their examination of it.
He added: “We want to create such a noise and greater awareness that the Lords will see by the by the time this Bill comes to them.
“They might think ‘hang on, this is very unpopular’, and start asking why it is unpopular, and … hopefully make the right decision.”
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