"The British parliament passed a law late Monday that will mean asylum seekers arriving on British shores without prior permission can be sent to Rwanda and forbidden from ever returning to the U.K. The British government says the law will act as deterrent to anyone trying to enter the U.K. 'illegally.'"
Re the Rwanda migrant bill, that was passed yesterday in the UK HoL
Natalie Bennett (Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle) in the House of Lords at midnight last night:
My Lords, I rise with a heavy heart, given the lack of further amendment, to this dreadful, international law-busting Bill. I note that in the other place, the SNP twice used procedural Motions to delay it by 15 minutes each time. I applaud them for that, and I am not going to take up the same length, but I am going to take a moment to mark this historic occasion.
Your Lordships’ House has put a lot of work into trying to make the Bill comply with international law, with basic moral laws and with the principles of justice and fairness. The noble Lord, Lord Anderson of Ipswich, earlier today said:
“Its costs will be measured not only in money but in principles debased—disregard for our international commitments, avoiding statutory protections for the vulnerable, and the removal of judicial scrutiny”.
Nothing has changed in the Bill in the last few hours.
I note that Amnesty International this evening warned airline companies that many members of the public take an extremely negative view of the content of the policy. Those were really unnecessary words, because no company of any repute whatsoever is going to take part in implementing this dreadful policy. That is a measure of the Bill and the disgraceful, despicable actions it represents.
I am disappointed to see the almost empty Benches around me. I note that the Liberal Democrat Benches are here, having played their part in trying to stop the Bill at Second Reading, and I commend them for that action that the Green group supported. They are still here to the bitter end.
We heard from the Minister, we will hear tonight, and no doubt will keep hearing in the coming days that “Well, we’re the unelected House”. That does not mean that this House is without moral or legal responsibilities. I have asked the House a number of times: if not now, when? What will it take to make this House say, “Here we take a stand”?
We have had the abomination of the Elections Act, the elements of a policing Act that targeted Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people explicitly. We have had multiple indefensible restrictions on the right to protest. Now, we are letting through an attack on some of the most vulnerable, desperate people on this planet. What more will we let through? I suggest to noble Lords as they leave this Chamber tonight to ask themselves that question.
With a desperate, flailing government party bereft of ideas and philosophy and without principles, this House will keep being tested. I ask these empty Benches: you might be waiting for an election, but what kind of a country will it be if you do not stand up now?
Yvette Cooper accidentally saying what Labour should be saying about this Rwanda shit show.
If even Yvette Cooper hates your racist bill you're really out on a limb!
Le Rwanda se prépare à accueillir les réfugiés expulsés par le Royaume-Uni
Londres a adopté dans la nuit du lundi 21 au mardi 22 avril une loi controversée qui lui permet de déporter au #Rwanda des demandeurs et demandeuses d’asile arrivés illégalement sur son territoire. Un texte que Kigali attendait depuis des mois, fort de son expérience avec la Libye.
When the West Antarctic ice sheet melts, perhaps very soon, we will most likely have a million refugees all of our own. What are we going to do? Send them to #Rwanda?
I'm disgusted that our government is not tackling the real issues that we are currently dealing with and will have to deal with in the future. The Tory party are just desperately trying to grab any votes from whatever batshit crazy minority faction they can find. They don't care about this country. They only care about themselves, their jobs, and their lucrative sidelines.
If the charter company the Govt uses to transport refugees is also in the travel business then it's to be hoped their charter holiday flights will be boycotted.
If they use RAF or Naval aircraft then I would hope the Public Accounts Committee would look into it as a misuse of public funds and a diversion of critical military resources (as we don't have that many resources to play with).
Here we are, 80 years after the discovery and arrest of #annefrank and we have a situation in #Sunak's #UK where asylum seekers will be hid in our attics to prevent them being transported to concentration camps in #Rwanda.
What a time to be alive in #Britain!
As the UK government pushes through its execrable Rwanda Bill, some background on Rwanda’s activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ironically creating hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violence, rape and murder perpetrated by the Rwandan backed M23 militia.
The Rwanda Bill (UK) "is a shameful and performatively cruel law that will risk people's lives and betray who we are as a society."
We've signed an open letter alongside 250 other civil society organisations to oppose this attack on human rights and the rule of law by an increasingly dangerous, authoritarian government in the UK.
'It has resulted in mass displacement, #violence and potential #genocide, jeopardising millions of lives. While the United States (US) and other European nations have publicly expressed concern at the United Nations Security Council, Britain’s silence speaks volumes.'
United Nations experts have warned airlines involved in Rishi Sunak’s #Rwanda asylum scheme they could be held responsible for any violations of international #humanrights rules.
I am ashamed of my country & government!
This gov't has no compassion, & is willing to break international law in order to deprive desperate people of their right to asylum. What an absolute disgrace.
I hope (but have no confidence) that Labour will repeal this when we finally get rid of these inhumane Tories later this year.
Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill will become law after peers eventually backed down on amending it, opening the way for legal battles over the potential removal of dozens of people seeking asylum....
UK passes bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda (www.theguardian.com)
Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill will become law after peers eventually backed down on amending it, opening the way for legal battles over the potential removal of dozens of people seeking asylum....