Rwanda Bill: UNHCR sounds alarm

I am writing to update you on UNHCR’s response, following the “Safety of Rwanda” (Asylum and Immigration) Bill being passed by the UK Parliament late last night.

UNHCR has consistently raised serious concerns about this approach to asylum processing since it was first proposed.  

Today, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, issued a joint statement sounding the alarm on the harmful impact this legislation will have. 

In particular, that it will: 

• breach the UN Refugee Convention. 
• pave the way for asylum-seekers, including families with children, to be summarily sent to Rwanda to present their asylum claims, with no prospect of return to the UK.
• drastically limit the ability for asylum-seekers to challenge or appeal removal decisions, with decision-makers and judges required to conclusively treat Rwanda as a “safe” country in terms of protecting asylum-seekers – regardless of any evidence to the contrary, now or in the future.
• expressly authorise the Government to disregard any protective interim remedies from the European Court of Human Rights.

As UNHCR’s national partner in the UK, we echo these concerns and believe this legislation erodes the human rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution.  

You can read UNHCR’s full statement here. 

UK for UNHCR is committed to supporting refugees and displaced people across the world, who have been forced to flee their homes to seek safety. 

We remain encouraged that IPSOS research last World Refugee Day found 84% of people across Great Britain agreed that people fleeing war and persecution should be allowed to seek refuge in another country, including Great Britain. 

Thank you so much for continuing to be one of these many voices. Now more than ever, your solidarity ensures refugees are not forgotten. 

Right now, refugees across the globe need our support. Learn how you can take action today.