In a recent development, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s controversial asylum policy hit a roadblock as the House of Lords voted to delay a crucial treaty with Rwanda. Sunak had urged the unelected upper chamber not to block his plans to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda on one-way flights, framing it as “the will of the people.”
The House of Lords, comprising former politicians, civil servants, diplomats, and bishops, does not possess the power to prevent the treaty’s enforcement, making the vote largely symbolic. However, the move signifies growing opposition within the chamber towards the migration policy introduced by former PM Boris Johnson in 2022.
Sunak’s proposed plan involves diverting asylum-seekers, arriving through small boats or “irregular means,” away from claiming asylum in Britain. Instead, these individuals would be detained and subsequently sent to Rwanda. Their asylum cases would be processed in Africa, and resettlement would occur there. Sunak aims to discourage individuals from undertaking the perilous journey across the English Channel by threatening deportation.
While the Lords’ vote to delay the treaty has limited impact, it foreshadows potential challenges to the broader legislation known as the “safety of Rwanda bill.” The Lords are set to begin debating this legislation in the coming week, suggesting the possibility of amendments being proposed.
The delay in the treaty’s approval marks a symbolic setback for Sunak, indicating that the Lords may not fully support the proposed migration policy. As debates unfold in the coming weeks, the fate of the safety of Rwanda bill remains uncertain, with potential modifications and discussions on the controversial measures introduced by the government.
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