2024-01-18 01:59:02
The ‘Rwanda Migration Bill’ introduced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to prevent illegal immigration to the UK has been passed in the Lower House the other day. The House passed the anti-immigration bill by a vote of 320 to 276. The bill, which was passed after two days of heated discussions, was also a matter of pride for the Sunak cabinet. In November 2023, Sunak suffered a setback when the British Supreme Court ruled that the bill was invalid. With this, the British government had the courage to face the court verdict in Parliament.
The law would see migrants seeking asylum in Britain deported to the ‘Third World’ country of Rwanda. The implementation of this bill is crucial for Rishi Sunak to ensure victory in the upcoming elections. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other ministers were confident that the bill could be easily passed in Parliament.
What is the Rwanda Migration Bill?
Under the bill, those who come to Britain as refugees would be sent to the East African country of Rwanda, where a five-year trial would be held to decide whether or not they would be granted asylum. This is the Rwanda Migration Bill in a nutshell.
If they are not granted asylum, they can stay in Rwanda. If not, move to some other safe ‘third world’ country. From January 2022, all asylum seekers in Britain will be able to be sent to Rwanda under this law. No matter how many people it is.
The new bill will come into force by amending the human rights laws, including the positions taken in the International Refugee Convention, through the passage of the Parliament Act.
Criticisms against the Bill
Social activists have accused refugees of being sent to another country more than 4,000 miles away as a breach of human rights. Social workers observe that the problem is exacerbated by the fact that they are being sent to a place where they do not want to live. Rwanda is also known for attacks and assassinations of government critics. People say that the Supreme Court itself has pointed out that many cases of custodial deaths and disappearances are being reported in Rwanda.
There are criticisms that this violates international human rights laws and that it represents modern-day slavery.
But the High Court had earlier upheld the bill saying that this bill does not affect international laws or international agreements signed by Britain in any way. But after that, the three-judge bench that considered the appeal submitted to the Supreme Court ruled that the bill was illegal after two judges took a stand against the bill. Although it is not illegal to relocate refugees to a ‘Third World’ country, the court ruled that Rwanda is not a safe place to resettle people.
Why did the Supreme Court deem it illegal?
In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Rwanda Bill was illegal. The court considers that if the refugees are sent to Rwanda, it is not possible to return them safely to their own countries. Especially with incidents of violence being reported from Rwanda.
The court also considers that the passing of this bill is a deviation from the understandings reached in the European Convention on Human Rights. After the intervention of the court, the government introduced another bill to show that Rwanda is a safe place. It is the Safety of Rwanda Bill.
The new bill will come into force by amending the human rights laws, including the positions taken in the International Refugee Convention, through the passage of the Parliament Act. The first phase of voting on the bill was held in December 2023. The second phase took place yesterday.
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