Britain’s plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda was met with condemnation from humanitarian groups after parliamentary approval. The U.N. and the Council of Europe urged the U.K. to reconsider their plans due to concerns about human rights violations and potential damage to international cooperation. Despite opposition attempts to amend the legislation, it was passed, allowing for the deportation flights to Rwanda to begin later in the year.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, expressed his concerns about the new legislation, stating that it violates the U.K.’s long tradition of providing refuge to those in need and goes against the Refugee Convention. The Council of Europe also criticized the law for preventing asylum-seekers from seeking judicial intervention when faced with deportation threats. These statements came after the House of Lords dropped their attempts to amend the bill, clearing the way for it to become law.
The plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda comes as part of the U.K.’s efforts to curb illegal immigration, particularly through small boat crossings in the English Channel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping these crossings a key campaign promise, arguing that the deportation plans will deter migrants from risking the dangerous journey. The number of migrants arriving in the U.K. via small boats has increased significantly in recent years, leading to growing political concerns about immigration.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially proposed the Rwanda plan, which involved an agreement with the East African nation to accept some asylum-seekers in exchange for financial aid. Despite facing legal challenges and opposition from migrant advocates who argue the plan violates international law, the U.K. government has pushed forward with its deportation plans. The deportees will have the option to apply for asylum in Rwanda but will not be able to return to Britain.
The law approved by Parliament, known as the Safety of Rwanda Bill, was in response to a Supreme Court decision that blocked deportation flights due to concerns about the safety of migrants sent to Rwanda. After negotiating a new treaty with Rwanda to enhance protections for migrants, the U.K. government declared Rwanda to be a safe country for deportations. The Rwandan government welcomed the approval of the bill, emphasizing their commitment to the partnership with the U.K. and ensuring the safety and security of those relocated to Rwanda.
International humanitarian organizations continue to express their concerns about the U.K.’s deportation plans, arguing that they undermine human rights protections and the rule of law. The swift passage of the legislation has raised alarm among critics who fear the impact on asylum-seekers, judicial independence, and international cooperation on migration issues. As deportation flights to Rwanda are set to begin in the coming months, the debate over the ethical implications and effectiveness of the U.K.’s immigration policies is likely to intensify.
