The UK parliament has recently approved a contentious bill that permits the government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be assessed by the East African nation. The legislation, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to deter irregular migration into the United Kingdom, particularly by individuals traveling on dangerous small boats from France, organized by criminal groups.
Despite facing opposition in Parliament and legal challenges, Sunak's efforts to implement the policy have faced setbacks, with the British government having allocated millions of pounds to Rwanda for a scheme that has yet to yield any outcomes. The Supreme Court of the UK previously ruled the policy unlawful due to concerns about the risk of ill-treatment faced by asylum seekers if deported to Rwanda.
In response, the government introduced the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which asserts Rwanda as a safe country, overriding previous judicial apprehensions. Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the bill's passage, emphasizing its role in preventing abuse of human rights claims to impede removals and asserting UK Parliament's sovereignty.
However, the bill's approval may not translate into a significant political victory for Sunak, as it is unlikely to substantially impact the UK's net migration figures. With the looming general election, the issue of illegal migration is expected to be a focal point, potentially intensifying divisions within the Conservative Party.
The Rwanda policy has incurred significant costs for the British government, with expenses projected to escalate further. The opposition Labour Party has already indicated plans to revoke the policy if it assumes power following the upcoming election.
