UN says UK draft law amounts to 'asylum ban'

The United Nations said Britain's plans unveiled Tuesday aimed at stopping migrants entering the country illegally on small boats would amount to an asylum ban, and urged "more humane" solutions instead.

"The legislation, if passed, would amount to an asylum ban -- extinguishing the right to seek refugee protection in the United Kingdom for those who arrive irregularly, no matter how genuine and compelling their claim may be," the UN refugee agency, said in a statement.