The UK government’s new legislation allowing the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a measure that has sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations, is set to launch within weeks.
The UK government has passed a bill allowing for the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, with the first flights expected within 10 to 12 weeks. This legislation, championed by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, is part of an effort to deter illegal immigration and manage the influx of asylum seekers via small boat crossings in the Channel.
The plan has faced substantial opposition and criticism from various human rights groups and opposition parties, citing concerns over the safety and human rights implications of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. Organizations such as the International Rescue Committee UK and Amnesty International have labeled the scheme as inhumane and a potential breach of international law.
Despite this, the Home Office has moved forward with the plan, which has also seen extended debates and pushbacks in Parliament. The Commons and Lords engaged in significant discussions, with amendments being proposed and rejected. The government insists that the bill is necessary to control immigration and has positioned Rwanda as a safe country for deportees under this scheme.
The cost of deportation per individual is estimated at £1.8 million, raising further debate about the financial implications of the initiative. Legal challenges continue to emerge, with prospects of cases reaching the European Court of Human Rights.
The bill’s progression marks a significant development in the UK’s approach to handling asylum seekers and reflects ongoing tensions within the country’s immigration policy framework.
