The United Kingdom prepared on Tuesday to implement plans to detain migrants within days for deportation to Rwanda following parliamentary approval, causing concerns and criticism from the UN and human rights organizations.
The legislation, a key initiative of the Conservative government to tackle irregular cross-Channel migration from northern France, passed through its final stages after a lengthy parliamentary debate on Monday night.
Tragically, shortly after the bill was approved, French authorities reported the deaths of at least five migrants, including a child, during an ill-fated attempt to cross the busy shipping lane in a small boat.
According to the UK proposal, undocumented asylum seekers arriving in the UK would be sent to Rwanda, where their asylum applications would be processed. If successful, they would be allowed to stay in Rwanda.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that deportations could commence in 10-12 weeks, with the first group of identified migrants expected to be detained and prepared for deportation as early as this week.
Rwanda expressed satisfaction at the bill’s passage, stating that it looked forward to receiving those relocated to the country. However, heads of UN refugee and human rights agencies cautioned that the plan jeopardized the rule of law and could establish a dangerous international precedent.
They recommended that the UK address refugee and migrant flows through international cooperation and in compliance with human rights law, rather than pursuing deportation policies.
The Council of Europe also joined the criticism, calling for the legislation to be scrapped due to significant concerns about the rights of asylum seekers and the broader implications for the rule of law.
