Rishi Sunak Urged to Protect Afghan Heroes from Deportation to Rwanda
Rishi Sunak has been urged to consider the “moral imperative” of protecting Afghan heroes who have supported British troops from deportation to Rwanda. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock has called on the prime minister to support an amendment to the Rwanda deportation bill that would exempt individuals who have supported British armed forces in a significant manner from being deported to the African country.
The plea to safeguard those who have assisted UK forces comes in the wake of reports by The Independent highlighting the challenges faced by Afghan heroes who are at risk of deportation to Rwanda after taking dangerous routes to the UK. MPs have begun debating the 10 amendments proposed by peers to Sunak’s immigration policy, the Safety of Rwanda bill, which aims to allow the government to deport individuals who arrive in the UK through irregular means, such as on small boats, to Rwanda.
Despite a previous attempt to deport asylum seekers to Kigali being deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, Sunak is now pushing to designate Rwanda as a safe country under British law. Peers have introduced amendments to the bill to provide protections for asylum seekers, including those who have supported UK forces in combat against the Taliban.
Labour has pledged to support all 10 Lords amendments in the Commons, with Kinnock stating that they make the bill “marginally less absurd.” Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson defended the government’s plans, emphasizing that legal routes exist for individuals who have supported Britain’s armed forces to come to the UK.
Tomlinson also asserted that the Rwanda bill aligns with the UK government’s international obligations and is part of a broader strategy to protect borders and prevent dangerous crossings across the Channel. The government maintains that the bill does not conflict with domestic or international law and is based on compliance with international treaties.
As the debate continues in Parliament, the fate of Afghan heroes facing deportation to Rwanda hangs in the balance, with advocates calling on the government to uphold its commitment to those who have served alongside British forces.