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Added on the 19/12/2022 18:15:38 - Copyright : Euronews EN
An asylum reform bill proposed by the British government is set to become law after overcoming a final hurdle in parliament on Wednesday. Faced with criticism, the government has defended the bill as necessary to break lucrative smuggling networks and to dissuade migrants from making dangerous sea crossings.
The British government has struck a deal with Rwanda to send some asylum-seekers to the African country, a move that opposition politicians and refugee groups condemned as unworkable and inhumane. FRANCE 24's Bénédicte Paviot reports from London.
UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, says "being relocated to Rwanda is not a punishmentm but an innovative way of addressing a major problem" after judges in the UK's High Court ruled that the government's plan to deport migrants to the central African country was lawful. Speaking in the House of Commons, Braverman explains that "by making it clear that they (refugees) cannot expect to stay in the UK, we will deter more people from coming and make such routes inviable". The controversial partnership was initiated by former PM Boris Johnson in an attempt to curb record numbers of migrants crossing the Channel, and last-gasp legal challenges blocked the departure of its first flight in June. SOUNDBITE
Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel says preparations are already under way for the next flight to Rwanda.
Rwanda has struck a £120 million deal with the UK to take in some asylum seekers who arrive in Britain illegally. Tens of thousands of people could be resettled under the agreement over the years. Refugee groups have slammed the move as unethical and expensive.
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