Official figures obtained by the Yorkshire Post show that the UK Border Agency has recommended ‘adverse immigration action’ against 207 individuals in Britain, suspected of committing war crimes in their native countries.
Individuals from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are accused of torture, genocide and crimes against humanity.
Last year the UK repealed a law, allowing private individuals to initiate prosecution against foreign war crimes suspects. It is unknown whether police are investigating any of the suspects.
Human rights group Redress said:
“A major concern is what is happening to those suspects. Does the UKBA refer them all to the Metropolitan Police for investigation with a view to seeing if they can be prosecuted here?
“Unless and until there are a significant number of prosecutions for these types of crimes suspects will continue treating the UK as a safe haven.”
13 suspects have been granted asylum, as there are fears they will face violence on deportation.
Only three have been deported, with others still under ‘ongoing’ enforcement action.
A UKBA spokesman said:
“We are determined to ensure the UK does not become a refuge for war criminals and have robust processes in place to identify and seek to remove anyone suspected of such a crime.
“If it is not possible to remove them immediately - for example, if we have been overruled by the courts - these individuals can now be subjected to stringent reporting and employment restrictions while we continue to seek their removal.”
