Britain wants to “deter” immigrants. The planned measures have received harsh criticism.
Critics in Britain talk of abolishing the right to asylum: Despite strong criticism, the British Parliament on Tuesday approved a law that seeks to deprive people who have entered the country irregularly of their right to asylum. The “law against illegal immigration” can thus enter into force before the parliamentary summer recess.
Around the same time, a barge caused a sensation when it reached County Dorset. People protested the arrival of the “Bibby Stockholm” in Portland. In future, 500 asylum seekers will be accommodated on the barge. It is part of the government’s effort to prevent migrants from crossing into the UK.
Last year alone, more than 45,000 people crossed the English Channel to the UK in small boats. In the future, they should be deported to their country of origin or to a third country with no opportunity to apply for asylum. For example, the new law allows immigrants to be detained as soon as they enter the British Isles.
According to the government, migrants should be able to be sent to Rwanda, among other places, regardless of their origin. According to the government, it is “deterrence”. People should ask for protection in the East African country and should be prevented from returning to Britain. However, a deal that has already been concluded with the East African country is on hold. The pact would see Britain hand over its responsibility to protect asylum seekers to Rwanda in exchange for money. The Court of Appeal judges ruled that this was illegal. Now it’s up to the supreme court, the Supreme Court.
The Conservatives had announced that Brexit would stop migration. However, since then there has been no readmission agreement with the EU. Because there is not enough accommodation capacity in the UK, the government has to pay millions of pounds a day for hotel beds.
Critics call the law ‘cruel’
The government’s plans have been harshly criticized internationally. Human rights activists called them a violation of international obligations. A spokesman for the Best of Britain organization called the law “cruel”. It will deny refugees and asylum seekers their rights and lead to more people being jailed at taxpayer expense. This policy is morally reprehensible, said the association’s executive director, Naomi Smith.
The British House of Lords, which initially called for nearly two dozen changes, however caved to pressure from Sunak’s Conservative government in exchange for minor concessions.
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