TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 22

2(c)

NON-REFOULEMENT

LINE TO TAKE

CONFIDENTIAL

The United Kingdom does not return refugees to a country in which there

would be a likelihood of persecution, nor to countries from which the

refugee would be sent to a country where he might face persecution.

In rare cases a person may be returned on conviction of a particularly

serious crime as provided for in Article 33(2) of the Convention.

BACKGROUND

Article 33(1) prohibits "refoulement" of refugees but under 33(2) the benefit of this protection may not be claimed by anyone convicted of a serious crime which constitutes a danger to the community of that country. A conviction for drugs dealing, for example, could provide

grounds for return as could reasons of a serious nature affecting national security. The United Kingdom has an historically strong

reputation of affording the protection of non-refoulement.

CONFIDENTIAL