The British Parliament has passed a law under which illegal migrants – asylum seekers will be taken to Rwanda

The UK Parliament has passed a law under which foreigners who have asked for asylum will be transferred to Rwanda. According to the BBC, the government hopes that this measure will scare away thousands of potential illegal migrants who reach the island by boat. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised the first planeloads of asylum seekers will leave for Africa in two to three months.

The purpose of the law, the government said in a statement, is to “discourage people from undertaking a dangerous journey with the assistance of criminal smugglers.” [в лодке по морю] to the UK to claim asylum despite having already passed through other safe third countries.”

In 2022, the UK entered into a treaty with Rwanda under which asylum claims made to British authorities will be examined by Rwandan officials. If the answer is positive, the asylum seeker will have to remain in Rwanda, which the British authorities considered a fairly safe country to live in.

Currently, about 52 thousand illegal migrants are awaiting an asylum decision. More than 4,600 people have arrived in the UK by boat since the start of the year. The number of illegal migrants who came to the country in 2022 and 2023 was 45,755 and 29,437 people, respectively.