Lord Sumption and Lord Sandhurst questioned on Rwanda Bill human rights implications

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• Inquiry: Safety in Rwanda (Asylum & Immigration) Bill
• Human Rights (Joint Committee)

Witnesses

Panel 1 (3 pm – 4 pm) 

• Lord Sandhurst (Guy Mansfield KC), Chair of Research of the Society of Conservative Lawyers.
• Lord Sumption (Jonathan Sumption KC), former Supreme Court Justice.

Panel 2 (4:30 pm – 5:15 pm) 

• Martin Howe KC, Barrister at 8 New Square.

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons last week. It will have its second reading in the House of Lords on 29 January. Along with a revised treaty with Rwanda, it is the Government’s legislative response to the Supreme Court’s judgment that ruled its asylum policy was unlawful because it breached human rights law and international treaties. 

The bill states that Rwanda must be treated as a ‘safe country’ under UK law, requiring UK courts to rule on that basis and not to consider arguments to the contrary. The Government believes these changes will allow deportation flights to Rwanda to begin despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. 

In this evidence session, the Committee will examine the views of legal experts about whether the Bill complies with the UK’s human rights obligations, in particular the European Convention on Human Rights and the Refugee Convention. They will be hearing from Chair of Research of the Society of Conservative Lawyers, Lord Sandhurst; former Supreme Court Judge, Lord Sumption; and barrister Martin Howe KC. 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock