The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to deport migrants to Rwanda, regardless of their origin, have faced opposition from many quarters in Parliament. Recently, the House of Lords passed a bill that would delay the law legalizing these deportation plans. This bill has been amended twice, and as a result, it will not be discussed again until Monday.
The conservative government led by Prime Minister Sunak aims to send asylum seekers who enter the country illegally to Rwanda where they will have to apply for asylum without any plans for return to the UK. The government hopes this policy will deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats and has committed to paying Rwanda hundreds of millions of pounds in exchange.
However, critics argue that the government’s project violates international obligations. Amnesty International and many members of the House of Lords are among those who criticize this policy. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that there is a risk that asylum seekers in Rwanda may not receive fair treatment. In response, the House of Lords voted to exempt certain individuals such as those who worked for the British government in Afghanistan and only consider Rwanda a safe country once promised protective measures are in place. However, the government rejects these changes, and the process of voting between chambers continues.
The continued resistance in Parliament indicates that there is still much debate and disagreement surrounding this controversial deportation policy. It remains uncertain how this situation will unfold and whether any compromises or agreements will be reached.