British Parliament Passes Law Allowing For Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Rwanda

House of Commons Passes Bill Allowing Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Rwanda

On December 12th, the House of Commons of the British Parliament approved a bill that would permit the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda. The decision comes amidst growing concerns of a potential rebellion from the right wing of the ruling Conservative Party, who are advocating for stricter immigration controls. Despite this, Prime Minister Sunak was able to avert a major setback to his government thanks to the successful vote.

Prime Minister Sunak emphasized the purpose of the legislation, stating, “The goal of this law is to leave the decision of who enters our country to British citizens, not criminal organizations or foreign courts,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Last year, the UK government reached an agreement with Rwanda to accept illegal migrants as asylum seekers in an effort to combat human trafficking across the English Channel. However, following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that forced deportations to Rwanda were unlawful, Mr. Sunak negotiated a new agreement with Rwanda to prevent migrants from being sent back to unsafe third countries. Additionally, he introduced a bill in the House of Commons designating Rwanda as a “safe country” for deportation purposes.

Nevertheless, the right wing of the Conservative Party has expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing that it may not provide sufficient legal protection against challenges aimed at blocking the deportation of illegal immigrants.

The measure was approved with 313 votes in favor and 269 against. Notably, approximately 40 members of the Conservative Party did not cast their vote, with one right-wing lawmaker revealing that the entire right-wing faction had decided to abstain from supporting the bill and voting altogether.

Citing concerns stemming from past legal actions, the lawmaker emphasized opposition to future parliamentary proceedings unless the bill incorporates mechanisms to prevent the blockage of deportations. With the general election slated for next year and internal discord within the Conservative Party, the prospect of resolving these issues remains uncertain, leading Mr. Sunak to likely maintain strict control over his administration.

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On December 12, the House of Commons of the British Parliament passed a bill that would allow for the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda. Pictured is Prime Minister Sunak. Photograph taken on the 11th in London (2023 Reuters/Hannah McKay)

[ロンドン １２日 ロイター] – On the 12th, the House of Commons of the British Parliament passed a bill that would allow the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda. While there are growing concerns of a rebellion from the right wing of the ruling Conservative Party, who are calling for stricter immigration controls, Prime Minister Sunak managed to avoid a major blow to his government due to the vote.

“The purpose of this law is that British citizens, not criminal organizations or foreign courts, should decide who comes to our country,” Sunak said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Last year, the British government struck a deal for Rwanda to accept illegal migrants as asylum seekers in an attempt to combat people who smuggle people across the Channel in small boats.

However, after the UK Supreme Court ruled last month that forced deportations to Rwanda were illegal, Mr Sunak signed a new agreement with Rwanda which aims to ensure migrants are not sent back to unsafe third countries. He also introduced a bill in the House of Commons that would define Rwanda as a “safe country” and allow deportation.

However, the right wing of the Conservative Party has been increasingly opposed to the bill, arguing that it would not be enough to withstand legal action such as lawsuits aimed at blocking the deportation of illegal immigrants.

The measure was approved with 313 people in favor and 269 against. 350 members of the Conservative Party were ordered to vote in favor of the measure, but it appears that around 40 did not vote.

Shortly before the vote, one right-wing lawmaker revealed that the right-wing group as a whole had decided to abstain from supporting the bill and abstain from voting.

Citing the situation in June last year when the European Court of Human Rights issued an injunction to stop the deportation of migrants, the lawmaker expressed opposition to future parliamentary proceedings unless the bill included a mechanism to ensure that such deportations are not be blocked.. Stresses that we continue to do so. With the general election scheduled for next year, there is no prospect of the Conservative Party, which lags far behind the opposition Labor party in terms of support, resolving its internal imbalance, and Mr. Sunak is likely to continue to strictly control his administration.

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