The House of Lords in the UK Parliament has finally given its approval to the government’s Rwanda asylum deportation plan, paving the way for it to become law. Home Secretary James Cleverly welcomed the decision as a “landmark moment” and pledged to get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill aims to prevent further legal challenges to the scheme, which has been stalled due to concerns over its legality. The legislation will compel judges to consider Rwanda as a safe country for asylum seekers and give ministers the power to disregard emergency injunctions.
The plan has been heavily criticized by opposition parties and human rights groups, who argue that it is inhumane and impractical. Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, called it an “extortionately expensive gimmick” that would not address the root causes of cross-Channel migration.
Despite the criticism, the government maintains that the plan is necessary to deter migrants from making perilous journeys across the English Channel. Home Office minister Lord Sharpe defended the legislation, stating that it complies with international law and is “profoundly moral and patriotic.”
With parliamentary approval, the Bill now awaits royal assent to become law. The government has already signed a £200 million deal with Rwanda to implement the scheme. Critics, however, remain skeptical about its effectiveness and argue that it will only worsen the situation for asylum seekers.
