Former Justice Secretary’s Perspective
Former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland believes it is “very unlikely” that European courts could use an injunction again to stop asylum seekers being deported from the UK to Rwanda now that the revised legislation has passed.
The Safety of Rwanda Bill
The Safety of Rwanda Bill, legislation designed to allow Rishi Sunak’s plans to deport asylum seekers into the East African country, passed into law this week following weeks of back-and-forth between the Houses of Commons and Lords.
- Peers backed down on their demands for an independent committee to monitor the safety of Rwanda.
- An exemption for people who have supported British armed forces abroad was not included.
Sunak expressed hope that deportation flights could commence in the next 10 to 12 weeks, with the first asylum seekers potentially being sent to Rwanda in the summer.
Likelihood of Legal Challenges
While concerns persist about potential legal challenges to deportations, Buckland expressed his skepticism about the possibility of a “pyjama injunction” being granted again.
- The European Court has raised the threshold for granting such injunctions.
- The legislation grants only ministers the right to decide compliance with European Court orders.
Impact on UK’s Reputation
Some have raised concerns about the impact of the bill on Britain’s international standing, with comments from French President Emmanuel Macron indicating dissatisfaction with the UK’s plans.
- Abdy Yeganeh, a former British diplomat, believes the bill’s passage has negatively affected the UK’s reputation.
- He notes that the handling of refugees and migrants by the UK government has made it challenging for the UK to assertively address global refugee crises.
