As UK passes illegal migration bill, UN says it is against international law

The United Nations has slammed Britain's illegal migration bill just when it got parliamentary assent on Tuesday (July 18). In a sharp reaction,the UN has said that the bill, which awaits formality of the 'royal assent' to become a law, is against London's obligations under international law. In a joint statement, the UN refugee and human rights chiefs said that the bill "is at variance with the country's obligations under international human rights and refugee law and will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection."

The controversial bill seeks to stop thousands of migrants arriving on British shores in small boats. The bill has cleared its last parliamentary hurdle. The members of the House of Lords, the unelected upper house defeated a string of challenges to the government's Illegal Migration Bill.

The bill is central to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to "stop the boats".

"This new legislation significantly erodes the legal framework that has protected so many, exposing refugees to grave risks in breach of international law," saidUN refugees head Filippo Grandi.

"I urge the UK government to renew this commitment to human rights by reversing this law and ensuring that the rights of all migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers are respected, protected and fulfilled, without discrimination," said UN human rights chief Volker Turk.

The bill, when it becomes a law will mean that anyone arriving by boat will be denied the right to apply for asylum in the UK. As the parliament has passed the bill, it will now await the formality of the "royal assent" from King Charles III.

Transfer to 'safe' country Rwanda

The legislation provides for measures which are seen as a deterrent to migrants. The bill says that all irregular arrivals may be transferred to 'safe'third countries such as Rwanda. This means that a migrant, who may not be from Rwanda, can potentially be transferred there.

In 2022, more than 45,000 migrants arrived on the shores of southeast England in small boats. This was a 60 per cent annual increase in the influx of migrants. The sea route is perilous and has been used by more people since 2018.

Recently, three Court of Appeal judges in the UK ruled that Rwanda cannot be considered a safe third country. The UK government said last month that it would appeal the judgment.

PM Sunak has said he respectsthe court but "fundamentally" disagreeswith the conclusions drawn by the judges.

Till now, no deportation flights to Rwanda have taken place.

Rights groups accuse Rwanda -- ruled with an iron fist by President Paul Kagame since the end of the 1994 genocide that killed around 800,000 people -- of cracking down on free speech and opposition.

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