United Nations experts have voiced concerns about potential human rights violations in the UK’s planned deportation flights to Rwanda, as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s asylum policy. The scheme faces opposition and legal scrutiny, with the viability of airline partnerships in question.
United Nations experts have raised concerns over airlines potentially breaching human rights and international laws by participating in UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda asylum scheme. They warned that airlines and aviation regulators could be legally accountable if they assist in deportations that violate human rights or court orders. Amid negotiations on legislation to enable deportation flights to Rwanda, there have been difficulties in securing an airline partner, prompting considerations of using Ministry of Defence aircraft.
Campaigners and opposition figures, including Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, have criticised the Rwanda scheme, citing human rights and cost issues. Prime Minister Sunak attributed delays in the scheme’s implementation to opposition in Parliament, pushing the commencement of flights back by about 10-12 weeks from the initially targeted spring.
Separately, the Rwanda Bill is facing a critical phase in the House of Lords, where PM Sunak has urged for no further delays, emphasizing that flights to Rwanda should proceed without additional hindrance. The ongoing debate in Parliament has led to contentious discussions, with the government opposing amendments proposed by the Lords. The outcome of these deliberations will crucially impact the legislation’s passage and the future of UK’s asylum policy regarding deportation to Rwanda.
