The British government has a shocking and heartless new plan: to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda - on a one-way trip - leaving them exposed to horrific risks for torture and other human rights abuses. Even worse, the plan laid out in the Illegal Migration Act would allow UK authorities to
detain children and deport them as well. This is incredibly dangerous.
How can this possibly be a thing anyone would suggest, let alone try to implement?
We must call on the British government to end this plan now!Luckily, the courts in the UK have blocked this terrifying proposal so far. Human rights organizations, including the UN Refugee Agency and the Council of Europe, are also sounding the alarm and speaking out.
Even the government's own National Audit Office is pointing out some problems with the plan - including how wildly expensive it would be. Apparently deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda would
cost taxpayers approximately £500 million GBP ($633 million USD) - a huge sum.
Asylum-seekers are seeking refuge because their lives and well-being are at risk in their countries of origin.
These refugees are in an extremely vulnerable position and simply seeking what we all want and need: safety and better futures.
For the UK government to throw that vulnerability back in their faces by pushing them into harm's way without a backwards glance is the definition of unconscionable.
We absolutely must speak out now, and not let another day pass without voicing our opposition. Stand with human rights organizations and refugees by condemning the UK government's callous plan to deport asylum-seekers to dangerous conditions!