UK decried by UN for unlawful Rwanda deportation policy
The United Nations has lashed out at the UK for its controversial immigration legislation, warning it could have profound consequences for the people in need of international protection.
The UN Refugee and Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, condemned the passage of the bill as a breach of international law and warned it would expose refugees to grave risks.
He said the so called illegal migration bill, which has been passed by the parliament and now awaits the formality of the Royal Assent from King Charles III is "at variance with the country's obligations under international human rights and refugee law and will have profound consequences for the people in need of international protection”.
Turk also added that the bill would set a "worrying precedent for dismantling asylum related obligations that other countries, including in Europe, may be tempted to follow."
The bill would outlaw asylum claims by all arrivals via the British Channel and other illegal routes and deport them, either to the country of origin, or a third nation, such as Rwanda.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, also condemned the passage of the legislation as a breach of international law.
The plan to deport asylum seekers has been criticized by some opposition politicians, lawyers and civil rights groups, as inhumane, cruel and ineffective.
The Scottish Refugee Council, a charity that provides advice and services to refugees in the UK, said in a tweet that is devastating to know the UK illegal migration bill is now set to become law.
ME
