By Rebecca Salu
Following several delays, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Act) 2024 which received Royal Assent on 25th April 2024 has now officially become law.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, made the bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making dangerous and life-threatening crossings to the UK, by sending illegal migrants arriving on boats to the East African nation; Rwanda.
The Safety of Rwanda bill created by the Prime Minister has faced a parliamentary battle over safeguarding concerns. On 15 November 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that it would be unlawful for the UK to send people to Rwanda, as they would face a real risk of ill-treatment as a result of being returned to their country of origin, also known as “refoulement”.
Earlier this year the House of Lords voted against ratification of the treaty until the safeguards had been implemented.
Whilst acknowledging the Supreme Court’s ruling, the government’s response has been defiant. The Safety of Rwanda bill states that Rwanda should be regarded as a safe country “for the purposes of relocating people, including in UK courts and tribunals”.
After a lengthy battle between the government and those opposing the bill, the Royal Assent was announced in the House of Lords on 25th April 2024, effectively meaning that the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Act) 2024 will now become law. Royal Assent is the final stage of the legislative process for the law to be passed.
The Prime Minister has explained that the first flights to Rwanda are expected to take off in the next 10 to 12 weeks following the passing of the landmark legislation.