UK is using genetic tests on some African asylum, who are lying…

06/011/09

Mirror.co.uk

Images ( adalvoice) google Serch

Britain is using genetic tests on some African asylum-seekers in a bid to catch those who are lying about their country of origin.

The tests, also used to determine if children brought in are related to the asylum-seekers, have provoked outrage from human rights groups.

The United Kingdom Border Agency, who launched the project in September, say Britain is the only country using gene swabs this way.

So far, the tests have been carried out on people claiming to be from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan The Government argues that the voluntary tests can provide valuable evidence of origin. But experts say the science is “fundamentally flawed”. Sir Alec Jeffreys, a geneticist at Leicester University, said: “Genes are not aware of national borders.”

Genetic tests for UK asylum seekers draw criticism

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By MARIA CHENG

AP Medical Writer

 

Graphic shows asylum applications received by the British governmentAP Medical Writer

LONDON — Britain is using genetic tests on some African asylum seekers in an effort to catch those who are lying about their nationality, drawing criticism from scientists and provoking outrage from rights groups.

The United Kingdom Border Agency launched the pilot project in September amid suspicions there might be a large number of asylum applicants lying about their home countries. An agency spokesman said Britain was the only country using genetic tests in this way.

Experts, however, say the tests are based on flawed science and there’s no way genetic swabs can provide meaningful evidence regarding nationality.

Concerned about potential fraud, the Bush administration launched a pilot DNA testing project in 2007 to vet applicants to a program that allows family members of African refugees already in the United States to join them.

The project, which wrapped up in March 2008, found an extremely high rate of fraud – 87 percent – among applicants claiming to be related to each other, the State Department said, and the resettlement program was suspended until those concerns could be addressed. The U.S. does not use genetic tests to try to prove nationality.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in London on Thursday that the U.S. has other ways of probing a person’s country of origin, such as testing language skills.

“I haven’t thought about it,” she said of the British attempt to match DNA to nationality. “We have a variety of ways we can use when we think someone is not telling the truth.”

Authorities in Britain described the testing as voluntary and said applicants would be asked to provide a mouth swab or hair or nail sample only in cases where questions arise about their nationality and they would be free to decline.

The government argues such tests can provide valuable – although not conclusive – evidence in assessing whether or not asylum seekers are telling the truth about their country of origin.

So far, the tests are being used only on people who claim to be from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan, though if successful, officials say the plan could be rolled out further.

Several experts slammed the effort as “fundamentally flawed science,” and a petition has been sent to Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling for the project to be dismantled.

“Genes are not aware of national borders,” said Sir Alec Jeffreys, a geneticist at the University of Leicester who developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting.

“Nationality is a legal concept, and it’s got nothing to do with genetics at all,” said Jeffreys, adding that the kind of genetic research needed to identify ethnic origins according to DNA in Africa has never been done.

Human rights experts said the voluntary label was misleading.

“If people do not consent to this test, that could jeopardize their application or otherwise be construed negatively,” said Jill Rutter, a spokeswoman for Refugee and Migrant Justice, a London-based legal charity for asylum seekers and migrants.

“Refugees might not be in a position to understand what’s going on and they could be without legal representation when this request is made,” Rutter said. “It puts them in a very vulnerable position and their rights may be infringed upon.”

Refugees may be eligible for asylum in Britain if they can prove they face persecution at home because of their race, religion, political views, sexual orientation, or other factors.

Bank of Eritrea still succeed….

Asmara, 6 November 2009

Shabait.com – News

The general manager of the  Commercial Bank of Eritrea (CBE), Mr. Yemane Tesfai, said that unlike other international banks which are engulfed in deep bankruptcy and crisis as a result of the current global economic meltdown, the Bank is not only free from debt but is also registering growth.

He explained that the root cause of the bankruptcy of the major world  banks emanates from the fact that they resorted to investing in what they claim ‘very profitable’ investment which in actual fact leads to high risks, besides granting loans without securing enough reserves. In this respect, Mr. Yemane pointed out that such a phenomenon did not affect the Eritrean Banks, as they did not engage in activities of this nature and invest assets abroad.

Stating that the Commercial Bank of Eritrea has secured its due reserve and deposit in accordance with the rules and regulation of banking activities, he indicated that its capital has increased to over 1 billion Nakfa, which in turn raised the initial capital of 50 million Nakfa 2,200 fold.

The general manager further noted that the CBE is extending loans to private investors or others engaged in development tasks in the country, and that loan amounting to more than 230 million Nakfa has been granted this year to 515 customers. Mr. Yemane went on to say that over 456,000 Nakfa has already been deposited in customers savings and checking Bank Accounts in the CBE, and that an interest rate close to  430  Nakfa is being paid annually to those who have deposited in saving accounts.

Furthermore, he elaborated that contrary to some other Banks on the verge of quitting paying interests to the deposited saving accounts or only paying below 1%, the Eritrean banks are paying 3% interest rate in foreign currency and 4% in local currency.

Pointing out that strenuous efforts are being made to expand equitable banking service across the nation through opening branch offices in all administrative regions, Mr. Yemane indicated that the CBE maintains working relations with 20 reputed foreign banks in facilitating hard currency deposit, exchanging remittance, as well as import and export transactions.  He also called on customers to resort to the habit of using cheque and other banking procedures instead of tender money.