Will the Rwanda Plan Finally Take Off? A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Developments
Understanding the Rwanda Plan
What exactly is the Rwanda plan? Essentially, under this initiative, individuals who arrive in Britain illegally will face deportation to Rwanda, a country located in eastern Africa. The rationale behind this strategy is to dissuade migrants from embarking on the perilous Channel crossing in small boats, by instilling the fear of being relocated to Rwanda. Once in Rwanda, their asylum applications will be processed; however, there will be no avenue for a return to the UK, except in specific circumstances such as concerns regarding individual safety. The British government has pledged to support migrants in starting afresh in Rwanda.
Obstacles Along the Way
Despite being initially announced by Boris Johnson in 2022, the Rwanda plan has faced significant delays due to persistent legal challenges. The proposed first flight scheduled for summer 2022 was thwarted on the runway following a European Court injunction at the eleventh hour. Subsequently, the plan has encountered legal objections, culminating in a pivotal Supreme Court ruling last November that deemed Rwanda unsafe for asylum seekers.
Rishi Sunak’s Intervention
In response to the Supreme Court’s damning assessment, Rishi Sunak unveiled a dual-pronged approach to salvage the Rwanda plan. Firstly, a new treaty will be negotiated with Rwanda to bolster protections for asylum seekers, which will be codified into law. Secondly, a fresh legislation will designate Rwanda as a safe country, mandating courts, law enforcement, and officials to treat it as secure unless specific risks of imminent and irreversible harm are identified.
Present Roadblocks and Future Outlook
While the legislation has successfully navigated the Commons, its progress is currently stalled within the House of Lords due to Sunak’s lack of majority support. The House of Lords is markedly more critical of the plan and is likely to introduce amendments that dilute its provisions, prompting a back-and-forth exchange between the two houses until a resolution is reached. Sunak aims to expedite the initiation of flights to Rwanda by the spring, despite potential impediments like additional legal battles initiated by individual migrants or the European Court of Human Rights. Notably, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to abolish the scheme if elected as Prime Minister, regardless of its efficacy.