After much deliberation, the UK Parliament has passed a bill allowing the government to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be reviewed by the East African country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced resistance from lawmakers and activists as efforts to challenge the legislation on human rights grounds intensified. Sunak’s endeavors encountered hurdles both within Parliament and in British courts.
The British government’s allocation of millions of pounds to Rwanda for a program that has yet to yield results has brought significant embarrassment due to Sunak’s inability to implement the policy.
The bill aims to deter irregular migration to the UK, particularly by individuals arriving on small, perilous, and illicit boats organized by criminal networks departing from France.
In essence, the legislation proposes sending certain individuals arriving in the UK to Rwanda for asylum claim assessments. Those granted asylum would remain in Rwanda, while the fate of those whose claims are rejected remains uncertain.
The lack of any deportations two years after the plan’s inception has been a major setback for Sunak, who has emphasized the importance of curbing small boat arrivals.
Last year, the UK Supreme Court deemed the policy illegal, citing concerns about the risk of asylum seekers facing ill-treatment if returned to their countries of origin—a practice known as “refoulement”—which violates international human rights principles.
The judges highlighted Rwanda’s inadequate asylum laws, poor human rights record, and past non-compliance with non-refoulement agreements. Despite criticism from the UK government, a bill was introduced earlier this year to address these concerns and affirm Rwanda as a safe country in UK law.
Home Secretary James Cleverly confirmed the passage of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, asserting that it would prevent misuse of human rights claims to block deportations and reaffirm the sovereignty of the UK Parliament.
However, legal challenges may persist under the European Convention on Human Rights, as the UK remains a signatory. Previous rulings from the European Court of Human Rights have barred the UK from deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Efforts to amend the bill have led to prolonged delays, with the House of Commons and the House of Lords exchanging proposals in a process known as “ping pong.” The Commons, where Sunak holds a majority, must ultimately approve any amendments made by the Lords.
