By In a bold move to address the ongoing issue of illegal migration, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday plans for the first deportation flights carrying migrants who enter the country illegally to Rwanda, Africa.
Sunak pledged that these flights would take off within the next 10 to 12 weeks, as he emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the Parliamentary deadlock surrounding this key policy promise before an expected election later this year.
Speaking at a press conference, Sunak called upon the unelected House of Lords to cease blocking legislation necessary for the deportation flights.
This legislation is a crucial component of the government’s strategy aimed at halting the influx of migrants crossing the English Channel illegally, colloquially referred to as “stop the boats.”
The time for action is now,” asserted Sunak, adding that commercial charter planes have already been arranged to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Illegal channel crossings have become a contentious political issue in the UK, symbolizing what many perceive as the government’s failure to effectively manage migration.
The number of individuals arriving on small boats surged from a mere 299 in 2018 to a staggering 45,774 in 2022.
While arrivals decreased to 29,437 last year following government crackdowns on people smugglers and agreements to return Albanian nationals to their home country, the issue remains a focal point of public discourse.
Despite acknowledging that the initial deadline to commence deportation flights this spring would not be met, Sunak attributed the delays to ongoing resistance from the opposition Labour Party.
With local elections looming, the Prime Minister aims to push the legislation through Parliament, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
However, specifics regarding the number of individuals slated for deportation or the exact flight schedules were withheld by Sunak, citing anticipated opposition attempts to obstruct the policy.
Migrant advocates have already expressed intentions to challenge the law in the European Court of Human Rights.
“We are prepared, plans are in motion, and these flights will proceed regardless,” Sunak affirmed. “No foreign court will impede our efforts to launch these flights.”
The legislation, known as the Safety of Rwanda Bill, has encountered significant hurdles, including a Supreme Court ruling that halted deportation flights due to concerns over migrant safety in Rwanda.
The government has since negotiated a new treaty with Rwanda to bolster protections for migrants, thus proposing the legislation declaring Rwanda as a safe destination.
Alex Carlile, an independent member of the House of Lords, criticized the proposed amendments, describing them as attempts to rectify “ill-judged, badly drafted, inappropriate” legislation that violates UK and international law.
“This is, in my view, the most inexplicable and insensitive day I’ve experienced in nearly 40 years in one or other house of Parliament,” Carlile told the BBC. What Rishi Sunak is asking Parliament to do is say that an untruth is a truth.
The Conservative Party’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda as a deterrent has encountered legal challenges and vocal opposition from migrant advocates, who argue that the plan is both illegal and inhumane. As the legislation moves through Parliament, its fate remains uncertain amidst ongoing debates and criticisms from various quarters.
