Rishi Sunak's Controversial Rwanda Bill: Compelling Judges to Override Human Rights Laws and Deport Asylum Seekers
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's new law, which has passed through British parliament, compels judges to consider Rwanda as a safe third country for asylum seekers.
The bill also grants ministers the power to disregard certain human rights laws, both international and British, in the process of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Despite opposition within his Conservative Party, Sunak vowed to continue with plans for deportation flights to Rwanda, following the bill's passage.
Rishi Sunak, the UK's Prime Minister, hailed the passing of new migration legislation as a significant shift in global migration policies.
However, the UN criticized the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, warning it could undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent.
The controversial policy, which has faced legal challenges since its announcement in 2022, has not yet resulted in any deportations.
The new legislation aims to override legal concerns and help Sunak keep his promise to reduce the number of people arriving in small boats in the English Channel.
Rwanda, a country of 13 million people, is known for its stability but faces accusations of a repressive regime under President Paul Kagame, who is criticized for suppressing dissent and free speech.
The British government has paid Rwanda £240 million to accept thousands of migrants under a new plan, despite the country's limited capacity to accommodate only a few hundred at present.
The plan, which has not resulted in any deportations yet, aims to deter migrants from reaching the UK by offering them the opportunity to relocate to Rwanda instead.