Catholic Church, refugee and human rights groups have described the passing of the UK government’s Rwanda Bill as “a dark day” and “cruel”. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees sounded the alarm on the harmful impact it will have on global responsibility sharing, human rights and refugee protection, describing it as a “worrying global precedent.”
Parliament passed PM Rishi Sunak's flagship Rwanda bill after a late-night sitting on Monday and months of “ping pong” between the Houses of Parliament. Sunak called it a "landmark" law, adding that "nothing will stand in our way" of now getting flights to Rwanda off the ground. He hoped the first flights would take off in July, but the scheme could still be held up by challenges in the courts. Five migrants died in an attempt to cross the English Channel just hours after the bill was passed.
Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead bishop for migrants and refugees, urged the government to rethink its migration and asylum policy.
“I was saddened to hear that instead of reaching a place of sanctuary, five human beings tragically drowned in the Channel in their desperate hopes for refuge. May they rest in peace,” he says. “This awful event underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions to address the plight of migrants and refugees. I urge the government to rethink its migration and asylum policy and remember that each person has a name, face and story.”
He emphasised the need for safe and legal routes.
“The passing of the Rwanda Bill last night fails to address the urgent need to ensure that there are more safe and legal routes by which asylum seekers and refugees can reach the UK. I once again call on our government for a more compassionate approach to migration; one that seeks to protect vulnerable lives and support those fleeing persecution and hardship.”
Justice and Peace Scotland said on social media, “A terrible day for the upholding of human rights, the respect of international law, and the progression of British politics. Refugees and all who come to our shores are made in the image and likeness of God and should be treated with dignity, not cruelty and inhumanity.”
Together With Refugees said it was “a dark day, but there is always hope. Today we grieve, but tomorrow, along with the 500-plus orgs of the Together With Refugees coalition, will continue to fight for something better.”
City of Sanctuary said, “Today our thoughts are with the people who came here to seek safety who now live with a new terror. That is what the Rwanda bill boils down to. Performative, useless terror serving as a cynical distraction from the real problems we face. We will fight it with everything we have.”
Jesuit Refugee Service UK pledged to keep on campaigning for the UK to uphold its responsibility towards refugees. Director Sarah Teather said, “JRS UK will continue to oppose this and all attempts to outsource asylum. We remain at the side of women, men, and children whose rights are threatened by this cruel plan, and all those arriving in the UK in search of safety."
JRS UK's detention outreach manager, Naomi Blackwell said, “The prospect of being forced on a plane to Rwanda is deeply terrifying for refugees. And in detention, people are often told nothing about what's happening to them, it's disproportionately difficult to get legal advice, they may not even have phone credit to ring someone to ask about it. Our politicians need to stop their theatrics and remember that there are actual people on the sharp end of this.”
The St Vincent De Paul Society (England and Wales) said it was “disappointed”, adding, “We believe that this Bill, alongside other recent legislation – the Illegal Migration Act (2023) and the Nationality and Borders Act (2022) — will not lead to a fair asylum system. We have consistently called for an asylum system based on principles of fairness and compassion. One where people who enter it are treated with dignity and respect, and have their claims heard in line with our international obligations. The removal of people to Rwanda fails in this regard.”
An open letter signed by over 250 organisations from across civil society in the UK was sent to the prime minister arguing that the Rwanda Act “abandons our duty to share in the global responsibility towards those forced to seek safety” and describing it as “a shameful and performatively cruel law that will risk people's lives”.
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