UN voices concern as UK's controversial illegal migration bill set to become law
(VOVWORLD) - The Illegal Migration Bill, which has now been passed by the UK's Parliament, is at variance with the UK’s obligations under international human rights and refugee law and will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned Tuesday.
 UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (Photo: AFP/ VNA) |
More than 45,000 migrants arrived in Britain from continental Europe in small boats last year. The legislation to deter such crossings includes measures to transfer all irregular arrivals to "safe" third countries like Rwanda. None have been transferred so far.
Türk and Grandi said the law contained no guarantees that asylum seekers could access protection in Rwanda. Unaccompanied children also fall within the scope of the law. Without viable removal arrangements, thousands can be expected to remain in Britain indefinitely in precarious legal situations, the two UN officials said.
The bill, which has been passed by Parliament, now awaits the formality of being signed into law by King Charles III.