Controversial Illegal Migration Bill Overcomes Final Obstacle, Paving Way for UK's Landmark Anti-Migrant Law
The controversial Illegal Migration Bill in the UK has cleared its final hurdle, allowing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to stop small boat arrivals. However, concerns continue to be raised about the treatment of migrants and the erosion of refugee protections.
The UK government's controversial Illegal Migration Bill has cleared its final hurdle in the House of Lords, paving the way for it to become law. The bill, central to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to stop small boats arriving on British shores, faced numerous challenges including amendments relating to modern slavery protections and limits on child detention.
However, these amendments were rejected in a series of votes. The legislation will mean anyone arriving in the UK by boat will be refused the right to apply for asylum and includes measures to transfer irregular arrivals to safe third countries such as Rwanda.
The plan to transfer migrants to Rwanda, announced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson last year, was previously blocked by the European Court of Human Rights. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of migrants in Rwanda, alleging violations of free speech and opposition.
The bill has also faced criticism from the United Nations, with the refugee and human rights heads stating that it significantly erodes the legal framework protecting refugees and breaches international law. The bill will now go for royal assent and become law this week.