Ref : https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/uks-Rwanda-bill-why-its-a-solution-that-doesnt-work-9289157/

Why in the news?

• In a significant move, the UK Parliament has approved the contentious Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.
• The bill allows the government to redirect asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be assessed. 
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeatedly stressed the urgency of addressing the surge in migrant arrivals via small boats, which often carry individuals fleeing violence, persecution, and instability in various regions.

What is Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill?

Need:

• The number of migrants arriving in Britain via small boats has witnessed a staggering escalation, reaching 45,774 in 2022 from a mere 299 just four years prior. 
• The desperate refugees pay substantial sums to criminal syndicates for transportation across the English Channel.
• To address this issue, UK came up with Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

Key Elements of the Act: 

• The House of Lords, serving as the upper house of Parliament, endorsed the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, effectively designating Rwanda as a “safe third country” for asylum purposes. 
• Under the legislation, individuals who enter Britain unlawfully seeking asylum will be redirected to Rwanda for processing. 

Addressing Legal Challenges: 

• The bill’s passage comes as an attempt to sidestep a previous ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which cast doubt on Rwanda’s suitability as a destination for asylum seekers. 
• The court’s decision highlighted Rwanda’s troubling human rights record, marked by cases of enforced disappearances and torture. 
• To counter these concerns, the UK government brokered a new treaty with Rwanda in December 2023, bolstering safeguards for migrants and paving the way for the bill’s implementation.

Implications and Controversy: 

• The approval of the Safety of Rwanda Bill has sparked intense debate, with critics raising ethical and legal objections. 
• Skeptics argue that designating Rwanda as a safe haven overlooks its human rights violations and jeopardises the well-being of asylum seekers. Proponents, however, contend that the measure is a pragmatic response to the escalating migrant crisis. 

UK Government’s Policy on Rwanda:

• Agreement Signing:
  • April 2022: UK PM Boris Johnson signed a deal with Rwanda permitting the UK to relocate asylum-seekers to Rwanda.
  • Purpose: Intended to combat human trafficking and provide safety to those attempting risky entry into the UK.
• Operational Details:
  • Undocumented migrants arriving in the UK via trucks or boats would be transported 6,400 km to Rwanda for assessment and potential resettlement.
  • Duration: Initially set for a five-year period.
  • Financial Arrangements: UK government allocated millions of pounds to Rwanda for housing, integration, and support of migrants as part of the pilot program.
• Integration Process:
  • Support Services: The integration process includes provisions for training, healthcare, and shelter to aid migrants in resettling.

Criticism of UK’s Rwanda Plan:

• UNHCR Concerns:
  • UN Refugee Agency: Criticised the practice of transferring asylum seekers abroad for processing. It emphasised the risks involved and the need for adequate safeguards.
• Legal Hurdles:
  • European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

 Intervention: In 2022, the ECHR halted the departure of the first plane destined for Rwanda, raising legal concerns.

• Opposition Views:
  • Costly and Ineffective: UK opposition parties criticised the Rwanda plan as expensive. They argued that it fails to address the majority of incoming immigrants.

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