[5] The initial report said that the UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls "seriously below" the standards of a civilised society.
The 1951 Refugee Convention states that a refugee is "owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
"[7] The commission, made up of groups of citizens, believed that the UK had a duty to provide adequate sanctuary for these defined refugees.
Unison Scotland statement said that they were pleased to note the creation of the IAC and their reports and welcome the opportunity to aid the commission in reviewing the entirety of the asylum system in the UK.
Sir Andrew Green, the chairman of Migration Watch, issued a statement where he said "Like them, we fully support a welcome for genuine refugees who are fleeing persecution.