May 7, 2024
Cited article from The Guardian
HRRC condemns UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill, citing concerns over potential legal challenges and the likelihood of asylum seekers disappearing to evade deportation notices.
News Brief
After contentious debates between the Commons and the Lords, PM Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill, aimed at preventing asylum seekers from using human rights claims to avoid removal, has passed. Despite concerns from opposition and cross-bench peers, the bill, expected to be granted royal assent imminently, will pave the way for the deportation of asylum seekers arriving in the UK by irregular means to Kigali, as part of efforts to curb Channel crossings. However, critics, including Denisa Delić from the International Rescue Committee UK, argue that the plan is ineffective, cruel, and costly, urging the government to prioritize more humane immigration solutions.
The bill allows for legal challenges, with lawyers preparing to contest removals on behalf of individuals facing serious harm if deported to Rwanda. The Home Office has identified 350 migrants deemed least likely to successfully challenge their deportation, with each removal estimated to cost £1.8 million. Despite PM Rishi Sunak's assertion of proceeding with flights in 10 to 12 weeks, concerns remain over potential disappearances of asylum seekers avoiding deportation notices.