The United Kingdom has threatened to impose a sweeping visa ban on Eritrean nationals unless the East African country agrees to accept the return of citizens who have no legal right to remain in Britain, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Thursday.
The warning comes as London introduces new restrictions on Eritrean diplomats, including limits on travel outside the capital and the suspension of fast-track visa services for senior government officials and other VIPs.
Under measures taking effect on Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will be barred from travelling more than 60 kilometres (37 miles) outside London without prior authorisation.
The British Home Office said the restrictions mirror measures imposed on UK diplomats stationed in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara.
Mahmood accused Eritrean authorities of repeatedly refusing to cooperate with efforts to repatriate nationals convicted of criminal offences or found to have no legal basis to remain in the UK.
“Eritrea has had every chance to accept the return of criminals and those with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other countries, it has refused,” Mahmood told The Telegraph.
She warned that further measures could follow if Eritrea continued to reject Britain’s requests.
According to the Home Office, Eritrean officials abruptly withdrew cooperation on migrant returns earlier this year, prompting London to escalate diplomatic pressure.
Eritreans accounted for 18 percent of migrants arriving in Britain aboard small boats during the 12 months ending in June, making them the largest nationality group among such arrivals, according to parliamentary figures.
Many Eritreans have fled their country to escape indefinite national service, political repression and compulsory military conscription, which can extend for decades.
The dispute forms part of a broader British government effort to pressure countries into accepting the return of nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected or who face deportation following criminal convictions.
London previously threatened visa restrictions against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in similar disputes.
According to the Home Office, restrictions against the Democratic Republic of Congo were subsequently lifted following improved cooperation, while Angola and Namibia agreed to changes before the proposed penalties took effect.
Mahmood has also outlined wider reforms to Britain’s asylum system, including proposals to suspend visa issuance for countries with high numbers of asylum claims that refuse to cooperate with deportation procedures.
The proposed measures would allow the government to restrict visa access until the countries concerned agreed to accept the return of their nationals.
Eritrean authorities have not publicly responded to the latest British measures, according to the information available in the report.
