Rwanda Bill Updates
Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda Bill could remain caught in parliamentary “ping-pong” until after Easter recess as peers in the House of Lords increasingly believe a new set of amendments to the legislation could scrape through.
Current Status
While it is widely expected that the Bill will ultimately pass, there are still several areas of contention between the two houses. Peers are revising and redrafting amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill before it is put before them again.
Key Amendments
- Amendment to give regard to international law
- Request for government to have “due regard for domestic and international law”
- Empower domestic courts to prevent or delay removing somebody to Rwanda
Background
The Safety of Rwanda Bill declares Rwanda a safe country, aiming to address challenges faced in sending asylum seekers to the country. Previous attempts were caught up in legal issues both domestically and internationally.
Current Situation
The Bill is in the middle of a process known as ping-pong between the Lords and the Commons. The government has been unwilling to accept any of the Lords’ amendments to the legislation.
Upcoming Votes
The votes in the Lords are expected to begin late afternoon and run into the early evening. The government remains confident of being able to send flights to Rwanda soon.