Parliamentary Ping-Pong Delays Rwanda Asylum Bill Further

Rwanda Asylum Bill Faces Delays in Parliament due to Ping-Pong-playing

April 18, 2024 TruthUSA

Peers have been adamant in their stance, pushing for modifications to the contentious Rwanda bill regarding safety and exemptions for asylum seekers.

The government’s efforts to pass the Rwanda Safety Bill have hit a snag amidst the ongoing parliamentary deadlock over the legislation aimed at relocating certain asylum seekers to the East African nation.

Initially set to reach its final stages on Wednesday, the bill will now be subject to a vote by MPs on Monday. This latest development follows insistence from peers for revisions to the legislation earlier this week, despite the upper chamber’s previous changes being overturned by MPs.

The House of Lords is demanding affirmation from an independent oversight body regarding Rwanda’s safety status and the implementation of protections in the agreement with the African nation.

The provisions requested by peers would enable the Secretary of State to terminate the scheme if essential safeguards are not upheld. The Lords also endorsed an amendment to exempt Afghans who have collaborated with the UK armed forces or government.

The government’s timeline to commence the deportation scheme this spring has been delayed due to the back-and-forth at Westminster until the impasse is resolved.

Commenting on the peers’ votes, Home Secretary James Cleverly remarked: “Once again, Labour Lords have opposed our initiative to curb illegal immigration. Keir and his colleagues fear the success of the Rwanda plan and will use any pretext to thwart it. With over 100 votes, they consistently obstruct the British people’s right to manage immigration.”

Safety Concerns

In response, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper criticized Tory MPs for voting against exempting those who served alongside the UK military as “shameful and chaotic.”

Related Stories

Fresh Round of Government Defeats in House of Lords Over Rwanda Bill

Parliamentary Standoff Continues in Crunch Week for Rwanda Bill

“A plan that costs £2 million per asylum seeker. A scheme surpassing £500 million for less than one percent of asylum seekers. This now encompasses individuals who collaborated with our military,” she expressed on the social media platform X.

The government has consistently asserted that Rwanda is typically safe, upholds the rule of law, and safeguards the rights of those in need of international protection and refugees.

Despite Downing Street’s assurances, the plan to transfer illegal immigrants to Rwanda, including those who arrived via small boats in the English Channel, has encountered legal obstacles relating to safety concerns.

Changes to the bill, previously endorsed by peers, would permit individuals to legally challenge their deportation if they believe they have been wrongly categorized as adults.

According to the Home Office, the sooner the bill is approved by parliament, the quicker flights to Rwanda can commence, leading to a halt in small boat crossings.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated on Thursday to Sky News that the government is prepared to take necessary steps to facilitate the transportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.

“We are committed to ensuring these flights take off, whether through charter flights or alternative arrangements,” he affirmed.

Concerns have emerged regarding the government’s struggles to secure an airline for chartering the flights. Potential deployment of Royal Air Force planes remains an option as Mr. Shapps indicated that the choice of aircraft is a secondary concern.

Labour criticized the government’s perceived lack of effort in pressing parliament due to the challenge in securing an airline for the flights.

Labour immigration minister Stephen Kinnock remarked on the government’s frantic search for an airline to support the “unworkable, unaffordable, and illegal” Rwanda scheme.

PA Media contributed to this report.

Source link