Michael O'Flaherty, Europe's human rights commissioner in Strasbourg, said on Tuesday: "The UK government should refrain from removing people under Rwandan police custody and reverse the bill, which effectively violates judicial independence." “This law raises questions about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law in general,” he said.
The Council of Europe is independent from the European Union and was established in 1949 to defend democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
The British bill, which was approved by the House of Lords on Tuesday after prolonged opposition, declares Rwanda a safe third country by law. By doing so, the government seeks to block appeals against deportation before British courts.
The asylum agreement with Rwanda provides that irregular migrants will no longer be given the opportunity to apply for asylum in the UK. Instead, they will be taken to Rwanda and have to apply for asylum there.
The purpose of this regulation is to prevent people from dangerously crossing the English Channel in small boats. However, opponents are skeptical that LA will deter migrants.
"Managing asylum and migration is undoubtedly a complex endeavor for states but it must always be done in full compliance with international standards," O'Flaherty said.
The British law, he said, is "further representative of the ongoing trend towards the externalization of asylum and migration policy in Europe, which is of concern to the global system of protecting the rights of refugees."
In 2022, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is part of the Council of Europe, blocked Britain from sending asylum seekers of different nationalities to Rwanda by plane.
svn
The Council of Europe is independent from the European Union and was established in 1949 to defend democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
The British bill, which was approved by the House of Lords on Tuesday after prolonged opposition, declares Rwanda a safe third country by law. By doing so, the government seeks to block appeals against deportation before British courts.
The asylum agreement with Rwanda provides that irregular migrants will no longer be given the opportunity to apply for asylum in the UK. Instead, they will be taken to Rwanda and have to apply for asylum there.
The purpose of this regulation is to prevent people from dangerously crossing the English Channel in small boats. However, opponents are skeptical that LA will deter migrants.
"Managing asylum and migration is undoubtedly a complex endeavor for states but it must always be done in full compliance with international standards," O'Flaherty said.
The British law, he said, is "further representative of the ongoing trend towards the externalization of asylum and migration policy in Europe, which is of concern to the global system of protecting the rights of refugees."
In 2022, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is part of the Council of Europe, blocked Britain from sending asylum seekers of different nationalities to Rwanda by plane.
svn
