THE number of unaccompanied children claiming asylum in the UK has risen by almost 60 per cent in one year, new figures show.
A total of 3,043 youngsters travelling alone and without guardians in Britain asked for asylum last year, up 56 per cent from 1,945 in 2014.
Most – almost 700 – of the under-18s came from Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, followed by Afghanistan and Albania. Eritreans accounted for the largest number of asylum applications overall, with 3,729 requesting permission to remain, compared with 2,609 from Syria.
The figures were published yesterday as ministers in the Eritrean capital Asmara ruled out an end to the national service system blamed for driving many young people from the impoverished country.
Many are trapped in the system for decades, independent media are banned, citizens are subject to detention and torture and those who attempt to cross the border without permission can be shot on sight.
Releasing the figures yesterday, the Home Office noted “concern over human rights” in Eritrea, saying fewer than 800 Eritreans sought asylum in 2011.
However, the proportion of cases knocked back has risen since the UK Government updated its guidance on the country in March.
The proportion of Eritreans granted asylum or another form of protection at the first time of asking was 48 per cent last year, compared to 87 per cent in 2014.
Over that period the number of appeals lodged increased from 172 to 1,718. Eight in 10 of these were allowed to continue – almost double the figure from the previous year.
Last night Naomi McAuliffe of Amnesty International called Eritrea “the forgotten refugee crisis”, saying: “The rise in unaccompanied child refugees is disturbing – not least because they are so vulnerable and at risk of violence, exploitation, and trafficking. Even if they manage to reach Britain, the UK Government’s immigration rules fail them; currently a child refugee in the UK cannot sponsor any family members, even their parents, to join them.
“By reforming these rules, the UK Government could make a huge difference to families torn apart by crisis in their home country.”
McAuliffe went on: “Eritrea could be considered the forgotten refugee crisis. One reason for the rise in unaccompanied child refugees from the country is the fact children are conscripted into compulsory military training where they face harsh living conditions and weapons training.
“Thousands of people have tried to avoid conscription – some by leaving the country. Those caught, including children, have been arbitrarily detained without charge or trial in horrendous conditions without access to a lawyer or their families.”
Official rules state all Eritreans aged between 18 and 40 must complete 18 months of service, but citizens say this can last indefinitely. The UN is among a number of agencies to criticise the country’s human rights record. It believes as many as 5,000 people leave each month, but this is disputed by officials.
Yesterday, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel said the system offers protection from “belligerence” from 97 million-strong neighbour Ethiopia following the 1998-2000 war.
Overall asylum applications rose 20 per cent to 38,878 in 2015, including dependants. Full data on the number of applications granted during the period is not yet available.
However, a total of 700 unaccompanied minors underwent age assessments and 68 per cent of this group were judged to be over 18.
While the Tories aim to reduce net migration to the UK to 100,000 by 2020, it currently remains at near-record levels, sitting at 323,000 in the year to September.
Of the 165,000 EU citizens who came to the UK for work, almost 60 per cent had a definite job to go to, including 45 per cent of the 45,000 arrivals from Bulgaria and Romania.
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said the Government is committed to reducing migration to “sustainable levels”.
He added: “The Government will continue to do more to ensure that Britain’s businesses find and develop the talent they need within the UK, while ensuring they still have access to the top talent from abroad to help them prosper."
“In addition, our new Immigration Bill, which is currently going through parliament, will provide new powers to tackle illegal working and make it harder than ever for those with no right to be in the UK to stay here.”
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