London (agencies)
Calls intensified yesterday to urge the United Kingdom to stop deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, after Parliament approved a law that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described as “historic.”
After a sharp dispute between the two chambers of the British Parliament that continued until late last night, the new law was approved, which is considered one of the main projects of the conservative government in its effort to contain illegal immigration.
The government hopes that evacuations will begin “within 10 to 12 weeks.” Rishi Sunak welcomed the adoption of legislation that “makes it clear that if you come to (Britain) illegally, you will not be able to stay.”
However, the United Nations called on Britain to reconsider its plan, which would threaten the rule of law and set a “dangerous precedent in the world.” In turn, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, urged the British government to “take practical measures to confront irregular flows of refugees and migrants, based on international cooperation and respect for international humanitarian law.” The Council of Europe also called on the British government to reverse its decision.
For its part, the Rwandan government praised the adoption of the plan, stressing that it looks forward to “receiving those who will be resettled” in its territory.
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