Displaying items by tag: Illegal Migration Bill

Christian churches and charities say the government’s Illegal Migration Bill is ‘senselessly cruel’ and will have a ‘devastating impact’ on lives. Almost 300 civil society groups and charities have signed a statement expressing concern over the Bill which will now become law after ministers overruled a series of House of Lords challenges. The bill will make claiming asylum in the UK via irregular routes illegal and pushes forward the plan to deport asylum seekers to third countries, including the planned Rwanda partnership. It turns our country’s back on people seeking safety, blocking them from protection, support, and justice, at a time that they need it most. It risks breaching international human rights treaties such as the Refugee Convention, while shielding the Government from accountability. The Government admits it cannot confirm if the act is compatible with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Illegal Migration bill is central to stopping small boats crossing the Channel. A Lords sitting on the Bill branded it disgraceful and made changes. On 12 July MPs rejected those changes. Theresa May said the bill would consign more people to slavery. Many Tories wanted a different approach. But they could not stop MPs rejecting the Lords amendments. The bill now returns to the Lords for more marathon voting sessions. The Lords amendments are backed by figures including Justin Welby. The Salvation Army said, ‘The UK risks undermining our world-leading system of protections and lifesaving services for vulnerable victims of crime. These include people tricked into coming to the UK illegally and under false pretences, to be exploited in our farms, factories, and building sites or trapped and traded in brothels and even homes.’ Should the bill become law, victims will lose vital protection. MPs will debate it again next week.