British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks as the upper house of parliament finally passed required legislation, delayed for weeks by attempts to alter the plan.

London

The United Kingdom's parliament has successfully passed a piece of legislation that will allow for the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a move that has been a key point in British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's policy agenda. This development follows after prolonged debates and attempts to amend the proposal, which had led to a delay in passing the necessary laws.

Prime Minister Sunak has announced that the commencement of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda could happen within 10 to 12 weeks, marking a significant step forward in the government's plans. The objective behind this policy is to deter illegal entry into Britain, particularly by those making the perilous journey across the English Channel in small boats, and to undermine the operations of human traffickers.

Historically, the initiative faced legal obstacles, most notably when the European Court of Human Rights intervened to stop the first planned deportation flight in June 2022, and the UK Supreme Court later deemed the scheme unlawful. However, the newly passed legislation seeks to counteract these rulings by officially recognizing Rwanda as a safe destination for deportees.

The British government has prepared for the implementation of this law by chartering commercial planes and training staff for the deportation process. Prime Minister Sunak has expressed his belief that this measure will not only address the issue of illegal migration but also bolster the political standing of the Conservative Party ahead of upcoming elections.

In recent years, tens of thousands of migrants, many fleeing war and poverty from various global regions, have arrived in Britain via the English Channel. The government has prioritized the cessation of these crossings. Nonetheless, the plan has garnered criticism for what some perceive as an inhumane approach to handling asylum seekers. Concerns have also been raised about Rwanda's human rights record and the potential risk of deportees facing danger in their original countries or in Rwanda itself.

Despite the bill's passage, Prime Minister Sunak may encounter further challenges, including legal actions from charities, human rights groups, and the trade union representing Border Force staff, who have stated their intention to contest the law's legitimacy and prevent individual deportations.



U.K. parliament passes Rwanda asylum law

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill is set to become law after months of standoff in Parliament. And he promised on Monday to send asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks. No ifs, no buts, these flights are going to Rwanda. The policy would mean any asylum seekers who arrive illegally in Britain will be sent to Rwanda in a bid to deter dangerous cross-channel crossings in small boats and destroy the business model of people who smuggle them. The first planned deportation flight in June 2022 was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights before the UK Supreme Court last year declared the scheme unlawful. The bill that passed on Monday designates Rwanda as a safe destination in a bid to overturn the ruling. Sunak said on Monday the government had booked commercial charter planes and trained staff to take migrants to Rwanda. He hopes the policy will boost his Conservative Party's flagging fortunes before an election later this year. Tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in Britain in recent years by crossing the English Channel in small boats, many of whom are fleeing war and poverty from across the globe. Stopping the boats has become one of the government's top priorities. But critics say the plan to ship migrants to Rwanda rather than handle asylum seekers at home is inhumane. Many are concerned about Rwanda's own human rights record and the risk that asylum seekers may be sent back to countries where they face grave danger. Despite the bill's passage, Sunak may still face legal challenges to the new law. Charities and rights groups say they would try to stop individual deportations. And the trade union which represents Border Force staff is promising to argue the new legislation is unlawful. Within days of the first asylum seekers being informed, they will be sent to Rwanda.

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