Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s immigration plan has been heavily criticised (PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government’s plans to send “tens of thousands” of asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing at a speech in Kent, which has received widespread criticism from human rights groups and opposition political parties. Mr Johnson acknowledged such concerns in his address, and accepted that the move was likely to find itself challenged through the court system, but seemed confident that his government would be able to proceed with the proposals.
The Home Office has said that the first people to be relocated to Rwanda will receive notifications in the coming weeks, with the first flights with asylum seekers to take place in the coming months. Anyone who has arrived illegally in the UK could be eligible to be relocated to the east African country, but reports have suggested that the system will be aimed at adult male economic migrants, with Rwanda seemingly keen to alleviate a labour shortage in the country.
Mr Johnson said: “Let’s be clear, Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world, globally recognised for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants. We are confident that our new Migration Partnership is fully compliant with our international legal obligations, but nevertheless we expect this will be challenged in the courts.”
However, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, said: “Sending people to another country — let alone one with such a dismal human rights record — for asylum ‘processing’ is the very height of irresponsibility and shows how far removed from humanity and reality the Government now is on asylum issues.”
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Wednesday’s Talking Point: Should Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak resign over partygate?
Thwobble said: “Should they both resign? Is the Pope a Catholic?”
