Setback for Prime Minister Sunak
Is Rwanda a safe third country? According to the British House of Lords, this question is not yet resolved, which is why the majority of its members have refused to ratify the agreement. This is a setback for the British Prime Minister. The British House of Lords has temporarily rejected the ratification of a controversial agreement with Rwanda for the deportation of migrants to the country. A majority of 214 to 171 members voted to postpone approval of the agreement with Rwanda for the time being. The British government must first demonstrate that the East African state is a safe country for migrants to be deported to and seek asylum there.
This is likely to delay a vote on the legislation. The draft proposed by the conservative government states that all migrants who irregularly enter the UK, regardless of their origin, should be deported to Rwanda. They would then seek asylum there. However, critics accuse Rwanda of human rights abuses. Returning to the UK would be ruled out. Rwanda would be declared a safe third country by law.
Committee recommended against the agreement
A report from a cross-party committee recommended not ratifying the Rwanda agreement until all security requirements are met. The guarantees provided in the agreement are deemed “incomplete.” The relevant committee in the House of Lords supported the report with votes from members of both major parties.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had strongly urged the British House of Lords, which comprises mostly appointed and unelected members, not to obstruct the will of the elected House of Commons. The Chamber had approved the asylum legislation last week.
House of Lords could delay timetable
The legislation is a central part of the conservative government’s plans. The opposition and human rights activists heavily criticize the proposal, and it is also controversial within the Conservative Party itself.
Despite the vote, it is generally expected that the House of Lords will ultimately not block the agreement or the legislation. However, the known critical nature of the House of Lords could delay the planned timetable. Implementation before the next general election would be made more difficult, especially as it is expected that there will be legal challenges, probably even before the European Court of Human Rights.
The social-democratic Labour Party, which leads in all polls, has already announced that they will not pursue the Rwanda plan further.