UNITED KINGDOM SUBMISSION TO THE UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW FOURTH CYCLE, 41ST SESSION (7 – 18 NOVEMBER 2022)

In this submission US provides information regarding the proposal by the UK Home Office (“HO”) to create a power to issue a citizenship deprivation order without notice via Clause 9 of the Nationality and Borders Bill (the “Bill”).ⁱ

This submission draws upon a Joint Legal Opinion dated 14 January 2022 prepared by Leigh Day Solicitors, Raza Husain QC and Eleanor Mitchell of Matrix Chambers and Jason Pobjoy of Blackstone Chambers (the “Legal Opinion”).ⁱⁱ A copy of the Legal Opinion is enclosed as Annex 1.

This submission outlines how Clause 9 is likely to result in an increase in citizenship deprivation orders that are incompatible with the UK’s international and domestic human rights obligations and highlights that it would allow the UK Government to retrospectively legitimise previous unlawful deprivation decisions. It recommends that Clause 9 be removed from the Bill and that the UK Government undertake not to reintroduce it in this or any other Parliamentary session.