Council Of Europe Calls On UK To Scrap Rwanda Migrant Plan
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published April 23, 2024 | 01:20 PM
Strasbourg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2024) Europe's highest rights body on Tuesday called on Britain to scrap a controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, after the measure cleared parliament.
"The United Kingdom government should refrain from removing people under the Rwanda policy and reverse the Bill's effective infringement of judicial independence," the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, said in a statement.
Britain's parliament on Monday passed a plan under which asylum seekers would be deported to Rwanda to await a decision on their applications.
O'Flaherty said the legislation "raises major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law more generally."
"I am concerned that the Rwanda Bill enables the implementation of a policy of removing people to Rwanda without any prior assessment of their asylum claims by the UK authorities in the majority of cases," he said.
O'Flaherty also warned that the bill significantly prevents UK courts from fully and independently scrutinising "the issues brought before them".
The Rwanda scheme -- criticised by UN human rights experts and groups supporting asylum seekers -- has been beset by legal challenges since it was first proposed in 2022.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government has been under mounting pressure to cut record numbers of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from northern France in small boats, particularly following a promise of a tougher approach to immigration after the UK left the European Union.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From World
-
Football: German Bundesliga results
2 hours ago -
Auger-Aliassime in final as 'crazy' Madrid injury curse strikes again
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
2 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
2 hours ago -
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
2 hours ago
-
USA include former Kiwi all-rounder in T20 World Cup squad
2 hours ago -
Canada arrests three over killing of Sikh activist: media
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
3 hours ago -
'Get this done', WHO chief urges pandemic accord talks
3 hours ago -
Lakers fire head coach Ham after NBA playoff ouster
3 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - collated
4 hours ago