The Guardian view on sending refugees to Rwanda: the UN is right – this law sets a bad example | Editorial
There is no evidence for the government’s claim that deportations will ‘stop the boats’
The capitulation of the House of Lords over the government’s Rwanda bill was predictable – even if some opponents had hoped against hope that peers might force a climbdown. As of now, UK law states that Rwanda is a “safe country”, making it possible for ministers to send asylum seekers there. The shameful course of action embarked on late last year, after the supreme court ruled the deportation policy unlawful, has thus concluded. Two years after Boris Johnson first announced the plan, Rishi Sunak is set to try again.
From parliament the focus now swings back to the courts, where lawyers will try to have individuals removed from flight lists. The law allows for this if they face “real, imminent and foreseeable risk of serious irreversible harm” from being sent to Rwanda – which some undoubtedly will. Mr Sunak’s calculation is that the policy makes political sense despite this and the £1.8m estimated initial cost per deportee. Its appeal is two-pronged, and combines the fuelling of xenophobic sentiment among voters – by ensuring that irregular migration stays in the news – with papering over cracks in the Tory party between hard-right populists and what remains of the liberal centre-right.
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Date: |
Filter
-
UN alarm over rightwing laws that could ‘whitewash’ Franco era in Spain
Three UN experts warn proposed ‘harmony laws’ may contravene international human rights standards. New laws proposed by rightwing and far-right regional coalition governments to “whitewash” the Franco dictatorship could contravene international ...The Guardian - World - United Nations -
Societe Generale Shares Climb on Above-Forecast First Quarter
Societe Generale’s results were better than expected at the revenue and underlying profit levels and showed early recovery signs in French retail banking, analysts said.The Wall Street Journal - World -
UN ambassador condemns Gershkovich detention
United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been in Russian prison for more than a year. “We gather here on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, an opportunity ...The Hill - Politics - United Nations -
Sunak says results 'disappointing' but voters will 'stick with us' at general election
Labour wins by-election and string of councils from the Tories, who retain the Tees Valley mayoralty.BBC News - Top stories -
Americans' views divided on US policy toward Israel-Hamas war: POLL
More Americans trust former President Donald Trump than President Joe Biden to handle the Israel-Hamas war, though few call it critical in their choice of a candidate.ABC News - Top stories - Israel -
Denmark increases defense spending in view of Russian long-term war
Yahoo News - World - Russia -
Singleton homers, Altuve adds 3 hits as Astros take series with 8-2 win over Guardians
Jon Singleton homered and had three RBIs and Jose Altuve added three hits to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-2 win over the Cleveland GuardiansABC News - Sports - MLB -
Brunson, Hart heroics send Knicks by Sixers in 6
The Knicks escape the 76ers with a thrilling victory in Game 6 of this first-round classic.ESPN - Sports - NBA -
Bucks-Pacers: Bad luck dooms Milwaukee to a second consecutive playoffs first-round exit
The Bucks dealt with extensive injury problems in the first round of the playoffsCBS Sports - Sports -
Cardinals' surprisingly bad start to 2024: Reasons for optimism (pitching) and major concern (hitting)
St. Louis is already hovering near last place in the NL CentralCBS Sports - Sports
More from The Guardian
-
Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York University and New School
Thirteen arrested at NYU and 43 at New School, NYPD says, as encampments cleared in downtown Manhattan. Police began clearing out protesters at New York University (NYU) in downtown Manhattan on Friday as pressure continued to build on the city’s ...The Guardian - World - New York -
‘We were all just following his lead’: Hope Hicks says Trump ‘very involved’ in campaign and media responses – live
Donald Trump’s former communications director testifies that he was at the center of media responses during his 2016 campaign. Trump trial continues with judge dismissing claims that ex-president can’t testifyJudge Juan Merchan was referring to a ...The Guardian - World - Donald Trump -
US confirms Russian forces deployed to same Niger airbase as American troops
Russians in separate compound and do not have access to US forces or equipment, says defence secretary. Ukraine war – live updatesThe US secretary of defence, Lloyd Austin, has confirmed Russian security forces have been deployed to the same ...The Guardian - World - Russia -
Experts dismiss Kristi Noem’s ‘dubious’ claim to have met Kim Jong-un
South Dakota governor says she met North Korean dictator in same book in which she describes killing her dog. The South Dakota governor, Republican vice-presidential hopeful and self-confessed dog-killer Kristi Noem’s bizarre claim in a new book ...The Guardian - World -
Panama to elect new president against backdrop of social unrest and drought
Country to vote on Sunday after supreme court allows leading presidential contender to remain in the race. Panama’s supreme court has rejected a move to disqualify the candidacy of the leading presidential contender, José Raúl Mulino, two days ...The Guardian - World