London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to sending asylum seekers back to Rwanda soon after the country’s parliament passed the controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill, aimed at deterring migrants from making perilous journeys across the English Channel in small boats to Britain.
Welcoming the bill, Sunak said “nothing will stand in our way” of getting flights to Rwanda off the ground. He also described the passage of his “landmark” bill as a “fundamental change” in the handling of global migration. Meanwhile, hours after the passage of the contentious bill, reports emerged of at least five migrant deaths in a Channel crossing attempt, though details remain unconfirmed by French authorities.
The influx of tens of thousands of migrants, many fleeing conflict and poverty in regions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, has prompted the British government to seek deportation measures. Citing the risks to lives and the empowerment of criminal networks involved in smuggling, officials argue that action is imperative to stem the flow of arrivals.
“Our focus is to get flights off the ground, and I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives,” news agency Reuters quoted Rishi Sunak as saying. Sunak said the first flights would take off in 10 to 12 weeks’ time. He also pointed out that an airfield was on standby, slots were booked for flights, 500 staff were ready to escort migrants and courts had been reserved to process appeals.
“No ifs, no buts. No foreign court can stop us. Illegal migrants will be deported from the UK. Runway is ready, aircraft are ready, 500 men trained and ready to push them out,” Sunak said. Once the Safety of Rwanda Bill is passed into law — most likely to happen later this week — the British government will be free to deport asylum seekers. However, the move would also face several legal challenges as several charities, campaigners and unions argue that Rwanda does not offer a safe haven for refugees.
