British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that his government will no longer pursue the controversial policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, labeling it as ineffective and already defunct. The decision comes after his Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election, with Starmer declaring the scheme as “dead and buried” before it even began.
Starmer criticized the previous Conservative government’s policy as a mere “gimmick” that failed to act as a deterrent against illegal immigration. He pointed out that the slim chance of actually being deported to Rwanda, estimated at less than 1 percent, made it ineffective in deterring asylum seekers from coming to the UK. Instead, many ended up staying in paid-for accommodations for an extended period.
The law, which declared Rwanda as a safe third country for deportations, was passed by parliament in April despite earlier concerns raised by the UK Supreme Court regarding human rights violations. The policy was championed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who aimed to curb the influx of migrants arriving via small boats from mainland Europe.
The decision to end the controversial deportation scheme has been welcomed by human rights groups and advocates for asylum seekers. The government’s shift in policy signals a move towards more humane and effective approaches to managing the asylum process, ensuring the protection and rights of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in the UK.
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