Does the Rwanda Bill meet the UK’s human rights obligations
The Government introduced the Safety of Rwanda Bill following successful legal challenges to plans to remove asylum claimants to Rwanda. Under a deal signed with Rwanda, some UK asylum claimants would be removed to Rwanda, without the possibility of returning to the UK should their asylum claim be accepted. In December, the Supreme Court ruled that Rwanda was not a safe destination for asylum seekers, rendering the Rwanda scheme unlawful, in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights, other international treaties and UK laws.
Meeting details
In response to the judgment of the Supreme Court, the Government has negotiated a new treaty with Rwanda, which it says would improve safeguards for those sent to Rwanda. It also brought forward the Safety of Rwanda Bill, which states that Rwanda must be treated as a ‘safe country’ under UK law, requiring UK courts to rule on that basis. The Government believes these changes will allow deportation flights to Rwanda to begin despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The Committee will consider evidence from non-governmental organisations and legal experts to understand the legal implications and likely impact of the Bill, with particular focus on whether it adequately resolves the key issues in the Supreme Court judgment without contravening the UK’s human rights obligations.