United Kingdom: Lords put brakes on plan to relocate asylum system to Rwanda

2024-03-07T15:45:42.429Z

Highlights: The British Lords approved a dozen amendments to the Rwanda Security Bill on Wednesday evening. Among these amendments, the possibility for British courts to intervene in the expulsion of asylum seekers. Members of the Upper House also voted to strengthen protections for unaccompanied minors, victims of modern slavery and former British service workers. The vote on these amendments – which weaken the government's text – will lengthen the parliamentary shuttle. Enough to delay the entry into force of the partnership with Rwanda promised by the executive for two years.

The British government has promised to cut immigration. His solution: relocate its asylum system to Rwanda to deter illegal arrivals, particularly via the Channel. For…

United Kingdom: Lords put brakes on plan to relocate asylum system to Rwanda

The British government has promised to cut immigration.

His solution: relocate its asylum system to Rwanda to deter illegal arrivals, particularly via the Channel.

For the moment, justice is blocking the project.

So, the executive proposes a law which affirms that Rwanda is a safe country.

But the parliamentary process has just become complicated during the examination in the House of Lords.

Members of the Commons and Lords attend the official opening of Parliament in London in November 2023 (illustrative photo).

AFP - AARON CHOWN

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in London,

Émeline Vin

The British Lords approved a dozen amendments to the Rwanda

Security Bill on Wednesday evening

Most with a margin of more than 100 votes.

Among these amendments, the possibility for British courts to intervene in the expulsion of asylum seekers.

This is the main setback for the government, which presented this text precisely to circumvent legal injunctions.

Members of the Upper House also voted to strengthen protections for unaccompanied minors, victims of modern slavery and former British service workers.

An amendment finally calls for the publication of figures from the government, which has still not indicated how many asylum seekers it intends to send to Rwanda.

The vote on these amendments – which weaken the government's text – will lengthen the parliamentary shuttle: deputies must validate the text in the same terms for it to be adopted.

Enough to delay the entry into force of the partnership with Rwanda promised by the executive for two years.

Read alsoIn the United Kingdom, the cost of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is going badly

United Kingdom: Lords put brakes on plan to relocate asylum system to Rwanda

United Kingdom: Lords put brakes on plan to relocate asylum system to Rwanda

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