Independent Asylum Commission

The Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) was an organisation which attempted to "conduct a truly independent review of the UK asylum system from beginning to end." The commission was made up of groups of citizens from local churches, mosques, trade union branches, schools, and other various community groups from the London Citizens and Birmingham Citizens. The Commission was independent of the UK government and the refugee sector, and was funded entirely by charitable trusts. It sought to examine key stages of the asylum process such as the access to the asylum through its determination process, the appeals process, treatment of vulnerable groups, and material support and accommodation. The commission held public hearings throughout the UK between January and November 2007. It published its initial findings in March 2008 and then three full reports over summer 2008. The initial report said that the UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls "seriously below" the standards of a civilised society. The Border and Immigration Agency rejected the report, claiming it operates a "firm but humane" system.