UK Faces International Criticism Over Plan to Deport Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

The UK government has faced widespread international condemnation for its newly passed legislation that would allow the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and human rights groups have criticized the plan, known as the Rwanda Bill, as a breach of international law that undermines protections for refugees.

Despite a previous UK Supreme Court ruling that deemed the plan unlawful, the government has pushed through the immigration legislation by signing a new treaty with Rwanda and declaring it a safe country for refugees. The bill aims to deter migrants from making risky crossings of the English Channel from France to reach the UK.

UN rights experts have warned airlines and aviation regulators against participating in the deportations, which they say contravene international law. The UNHCR stated that the scheme "externalizes" the UK's obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and is "inconsistent with global solidarity and responsibility-sharing."

The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, criticized the bill for preventing asylum seekers from seeking judicial intervention and effectively infringing on judicial independence. The reaction comes as France reported the deaths of at least five migrants trying to cross the English Channel.

Why this matters: The UK's Rwanda deportation policy sets a worrying precedent that could be followed by other countries, potentially undermining the international refugee protection system. It also raises concerns about the UK's commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.

Despite the criticism, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stated that the first flights removing asylum seekers to Rwanda indefinitely will take place within 10 to 12 weeks. The Rwandan government has welcomed the plan and says it is ready to receive the migrants, with accommodations being prepared in the capital, Kigali.

The opposition Labour party has said it will abandon the Rwanda policy if it wins the upcoming general election. Refugee advocacy groups and the British Red Cross have called on the government to instead focus on building a more humane asylum system, including expanding safe routes for refugees to reach the UK.

The UK government defends the plan as a necessary measure to stop illegal immigration and prevent further loss of life in the Channel. Home Secretary James Cleverly said spending money on the Rwanda scheme was "absolutely worth it" to deter "dangerous and illegal" Channel crossings. However, critics argue that the policy will put vulnerable people, including torture survivors, at risk and deny them the right to seek asylum in the UK.

Key Takeaways

• UK gov't faces intl. condemnation for plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
• UN, rights groups criticize plan as breach of intl. law, undermining refugee protections.
• UK gov't pushes through immigration bill, declares Rwanda a safe country for refugees.
• UN warns airlines against participating in deportations, says plan externalizes UK's obligations.
• UK to start flights removing asylum seekers to Rwanda within 10-12 weeks, despite criticism.