After facing resistance and demands for amendments from the House of Lords, a controversial United Kingdom government bill proposing to send asylum seekers to Rwanda has finally secured approval. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that the government had made arrangements, including chartering commercial jets, to initiate deportation flights within a few months.
In April 2022, the UK signed an agreement with Rwanda. According to the deal, Rwanda will process and settle asylum-seekers. The UK government argues that the possibility of being deported to Rwanda will discourage migrants from undertaking the perilous journey across the Channel. The government has reported over 4,600 migrants crossing the Channel between January and March, exceeding previous records.
The Rwanda scheme has received criticism from various human rights groups and lawmakers across party lines. They argue it goes against the UK’s commitment to international human rights law.
