Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, announced on Monday his plan to begin transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda within the next 10 to 12 weeks, now that the upper house of parliament has approved the necessary legislation. The policy aims to utilize commercial charter planes and trained staff to transport migrants to Rwanda, a strategy Sunak hopes will bolster the Conservative Party’s standing before an election later this year.
The legislation, which was initially delayed due to attempts in the House of Lords to amend the plan, eventually passed after Sunak threatened to extend parliamentary sessions into the night to ensure its approval. The policy, which has faced criticism for being inhumane, involves sending asylum seekers to Rwanda instead of processing them domestically. Critics cite concerns about Rwanda’s human rights record and the risk of asylum seekers being returned to countries where they could face danger.
Sunak’s new law seeks to bypass a Supreme Court ruling that declared the scheme unlawful by excluding certain UK human rights statutes from applying to the plan and treating Rwanda as a safe destination in the eyes of British judges. The legislation also limits the grounds for appeal to exceptional cases.
While the policy has been met with opposition from some Labour and unaffiliated peers, who proposed safeguards for Afghans who previously assisted British troops and the establishment of a committee to monitor asylum seekers’ safety in Rwanda, the legislation ultimately passed its final parliamentary step without any formal changes.
Once the legislation receives Royal Assent from King Charles later this week, it will become law. Sunak has stated that an airfield is ready, flight slots have been booked, and 500 staff members are prepared to escort migrants to Rwanda. The policy, which was formulated two years ago in agreement with Rwanda, will see any asylum seeker who arrives illegally in Britain sent to Rwanda.
Sunak’s team hopes the pre-election promise will help improve his electoral prospects, particularly among Conservative voters who favor reduced immigration. However, the policy may still face legal challenges from charities, rights groups, and the trade union representing border force staff, who argue that the new legislation is unlawful.
