UK Parliament passes controversial Rwanda migrant bill after a two-year tussle

TheUnited Kingdomparliament on Monday (April 22) passed the controversial Rwanda migrantbillwhichwill allow the government to deportasylum-seekers to the East African nation.

The bill was passedafter a lengthy tussle between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

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The bill,after being scrutinised by the members of the unelected upper house, was repeatedly sent back with suggested amendments to MPs in the lower chamber.

However, eventually, they agreed that the bill did not require any further changes and could now become a law.

Reacting to the passing of the bill, Home Secretary James Cleverly called it a “landmark moment in our plan to stop the boats”.

Also Read:Sunak's Rwanda Policy: Sunak plans to use leased RAF voyagers to deport migrants: Report

In a video shared on social media, Cleverlysaid: “The Safety of Rwanda Bill has passed in Parliament and it will become law within days. The Act will prevent people from abusing the law by using false human rights claims to block removals. And it makes clear that the UK Parliament is sovereign, giving the Government the power to reject interim blocking measures imposed by European courts."

“I promised to do what was necessary to clear the path for the first flight. That’s what we have done. Now we’re working day in and day out to get flights off the ground," he added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with his ruling Conservatives, has been trying to push through the legislation which will compel judges to see the East African nation as a safe third country.

The absence of any deportations, two years after the billwas first introduced, was perceived as amajorfailure for Rishi Sunak, who had earlier highlighted stopping small boats as akeypriority.

The passing of the bill has brought the prime minister close to the first deportation flightwhichis likely to take off soon.

Sunak had asked parliamentarians to “sit there tonight and vote no matter how late it goes” before the beginning of the fourth round of ‘ping pong’ between the Commons and the Lords.

Sunakplans first migrant flight to Rwanda in next 10-12weeks

British PMSunakon Monday (April 22) said that the first flight filled with asylum seekers to Rwanda will leave in 10-12 weeks.

While addressing a press conference,Sunaksaid that he cannot outline the plan's exact operational details, but added that specific preparations have been made by the government.

Watch:Rishi Sunak: First deportation flights will leave UK for Rwanda in 10-12 weeks

"I can confirm that we've put an airfield on standby, booked commercial charter planes for specific slots, and we have 500 highly trained individuals ready to escort illegal migrantsall the wayto Rwanda with 300 more trained in the coming weeks. We are ready. Plans are in place. And these flights will go come what may," Sunaksaid.

"Fundamental change in the global equation on migration. If you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay," he added.

As per the timeline decided by Sunak, the first flight will leave in July.

(With inputs from agencies)