LONDON – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is calling on the unelected House of Lords to stop blocking legislation that would allow authorities to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, as he seeks to fulfill a campaign promise to “stop the boats” who bring migrants illegally into the UK. .
Sunak has scheduled a press conference for Monday morning to present his case directly to the public, after promising last week that Parliament would remain in session until the legislation was passed. The elected House of Commons will consider the bill later in the day, followed by consideration in the House of Lords.
The bill stalled for two months as it bounced between the two houses of Parliament, with the Lords repeatedly offering amendments that were then rejected by the House of Commons. The Lords do not have the power to overturn legislation, but must give their assent before it becomes law.
The ruling Conservative Party plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda as a deterrent measure to persuade migrants that it is not worth the risk of crossing the English Channel in leaky inflatable boats. The plan, pursued by three prime ministers over the past two years, has so far been thwarted by a series of court rulings and vocal opposition from migrant advocates who call it illegal and inhumane.
The current legislation, known as the Rwanda Security Law, is a response to a Supreme Court ruling that blocked deportation flights because the government failed to guarantee the safety of migrants sent to Rwanda.
After signing a new treaty with Rwanda to strengthen the protection of migrants, the government proposed new legislation that declares Rwanda a safe country.
Alex Carlile, an independent member of the House of Lords, said the changes aim to improve “poorly judged, poorly drafted and inappropriate” legislation that is “illegal under current UK law and international law”.
“This is, in my opinion, the most inexplicable and insensitive day I have experienced in almost 40 years in one or another chamber of Parliament,” he told the BBC. “What Rishi Sunak is asking Parliament to do is say that a lie is a truth.”
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