The British government is pushing for an ultra-strong countermeasure to ‘expel’ illegal migrants entering the country by small boat.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced at a press conference on the 7th (local time) that he would promote the ‘Illegal Immigration Act’. The Act obliged the Home Office to send illegal migrants across the sea in small rubber boats to Britain “as soon as possible” to Rwanda or a third country. Those who do not enter legally cannot apply for asylum while in the UK and are held without bail. Once deported, it contains hardline measures such as being banned from entering the UK forever. Prime Minister Sunak insisted, “I have tried all methods, but to no avail, so I have no other choice.”

The English Channel between southern England and northern France is a major route for immigrants. Last year alone, 46,000 people entered the UK this way and applied for asylum, and more than 80,000 are expected to come this year.

However, it is unclear whether the bill will actually pass. This is because of the possibility of violating the European Convention on Human Rights. The British Times reported that Home Secretary Suela Braberman wrote in a letter to MPs that there was a “more than 50% chance that the case would not conform to the European Convention on Human Rights.” On the same day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also immediately issued a statement saying, “We express serious concern (about this bill), which bans refugees and is in clear violation of the Refugee Convention.”

Previously, in April of last year, when former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in office, the British government gave the Rwandan government 120 million pounds (about 190.6 billion won) and signed a contract to send refugees to Rwanda. After two months, the plane tried to fly, but just before takeoff, the European Court of Human Rights issued an order to stop the plan and it was canceled. At that time, the UNHCR as well as the Church of England leadership came out to criticize the British government.

Even if it passes, there are predictions that it will not have much effect. Enver Solomon, head of the UK-based non-profit Refugee Council, told the Times: “It will not stop the crossing of ‘people desperate to escape war and persecution’.” There is also a backlash that it is unreasonable to come up with only barriers in a situation where safe and legal immigration routes are lacking.

Source: Donga