Representational Image. Source: Reuters
London: A senior minister in UK has reportedly revealed that a new law to clamp down on migrants arriving in Britain in small boats from Europe across the English Channel will be introduced on Tuesday.
After the number of people making the dangerous crossing increased to over 45,000 last year, the British government has been promising to take more aggressive action to address the problem.
The newspaper reported that under the new legislation that is being considered, all people who arrive on small boats will have their requests for asylum rejected, and they will be deported to a “safe third nation” as quickly as possible.
“Enough is enough. The British people want this solved,” Home Secretary (interior minister Suella Braverman told The Sun. “They are sick of tough talk and inadequate action. We must stop the boats.”
The number of migrants arriving on the English coast has more than doubled in the last two years and tackling the issue was one of five key priorities outlined in January by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose party is languishing in polls, under pressure from his own lawmakers to find a solution.
Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants, many having made the journey from Afghanistan, Syria or other countries suffering war, more than 4,000 miles away (6,400 km) to Rwanda.
But the first planned deportation flight was blocked in June by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and the strategy’s lawfulness was subsequently challenged at London’s High Court.
London’s High Court subsequently ruled it lawful in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict. It is expected the legal battle will end up in the UK Supreme Court and so may not be resolved for months.
The policy has been denounced by human rights groups and even reportedly by King Charles.
Last November, Sunak agreed a deal with France to step up efforts to address illegal immigration, and he is due to travel to Paris this week for a bilateral meeting when the issue is set to be a major topic of discussion.
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