British lawmakers voted 313-269 in favor of the government’s Rwanda bill, supporting the plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda, despite criticisms from human rights groups, Associated Press reports.
The bill seeks to address a UK Supreme Court ruling that deems the plan to send migrants reaching Britain through the English Channel to Rwanda as illegal.
The controversial policy, central to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats,” has not sent anyone to Rwanda yet but has cost the UK at least $300 million. Sunak believes it will deter migrants from making dangerous journeys and break the business model of people-smuggling gangs.
The plan faces legal challenges and concerns about sending asylum-seekers to a country with alleged human rights issues. Human rights groups denounce the vote as a defeat for human decency and the rule of law.
