The UK Home Office has published a new nine-page booklet outlining behavioral guidelines for asylum seekers, covering topics such as respect in public, sex and consent, and gender equality. The document, available online, aims to inform asylum seekers about laws and customs in the UK, noting potential differences from their home countries.
The booklet emphasizes that asylum seekers must understand UK law, as breaking it can lead to consequences including trouble with the police, loss of asylum support, or negative impacts on their asylum claim. A section dedicated to gender explains that women in the UK possess equal rights to men and do not require permission from male relatives for activities like working, studying, or traveling.
Regarding sex and consent, the guidance states that mutual agreement is necessary for any sexual contact, and consent cannot be given if an individual is asleep, intoxicated, or unable to respond. The "Respect in Public" section advises against actions such as whistling or making sexual comments to people on the street, even if intended as a compliment.
The publication has drawn criticism from some political figures. Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, suggested that asylum seekers should be deported rather than subjected to behavior training. He stated that immigrants sometimes come from societies with attitudes incompatible with Western norms and that some communities are failing to integrate, allowing "backwards standards" to persist.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, described the document as "a disgrace" and interpreted its publication as an acknowledgment by the government that asylum seekers can be a "menace." He further characterized the guide as a manual on "how not to be a rapist, not to be a paedophile, how not to beat women and how to leave babies alone."
A Labour spokesperson declined to comment on the publication. The Home Office, Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party were contacted for comment.