‘Very Dangerous Precedent’: Ugandan Expert on Implications of UK’s Rwanda Bill Adoption

UK's new immigration policy under the Rwanda Act sets a "very dangerous precedent" as it shows that refugees will never be safe under the new legislation, Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, the Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) from Kampala, Uganda told Sputnik Africa.

"Apparently, the new immigration policy under the Rwanda Bill presents a reversal of the progress that it has made. As one of the leading so-called democratic nations, I think it's setting a very dangerous precedent in the sense that asylum seekers, for once, will never be safe given the Rwanda Bill," he said.

Sewanyana added that the law will be "detrimental" to the rights of asylum seekers.

Moreover, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Watchdog has also criticized the UK for adopting the policy Rwanda Act. As FHRI's head noted, the bill contradicts international norms and demonstrates a negative trend in the UK politics.

"By adopting such a bill, it [the UK] seems to be abdicating its global position as one, as a country that advocates for respect of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. It goes against the Global Compact for Migration. As such, I agree with the Council of Europe that, indeed, this is a negative trend and speaks volumes about Britain's human rights policy," the guest assessed.

Furthermore, the accusations against the UK suggest a manipulation of human rights for political and economical gain. In this regard, it is important to find a balance between gain and protection of people who find themselves in difficult life situations and their rights. And now the UK, which has previously stated its commitment to protecting human rights, is setting a “very bad example,” the guest noted.

"[...] It's important to balance, to strike a balance, between the political gain and the human rights implications. [...] So when it renegades on its obligations, then it is setting a very bad example [...]," Sewanyana said.

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The Rwanda Act also falls in line with UK's increasingly isolationist policy, which neglects its international obligations.

"Of course, Britain, ever since it left the European Union, under the Brexit agreement or arrangement, is taking a very isolationist view of global politics and its responsibility internationally. Britain [is] [...] still is under duty to uphold internationally accepted standards. Its isolationist approach will also need to be rethought. [...] And it is evident that the Rwanda Bill signifies, to a large extent, this increasing isolationist approach," Sewanyana pointed out.

However, the UK case represents a more global trend of infringement of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

"Of course, we are increasingly aware that geopolitics is playing a very important role in reshaping the human rights architecture. Increasingly, countries are sacrificing human rights obligations at the altar of political and economic expedience. So, indeed, it's true that when politics fail, human rights suffer," the guest pondered.

Thus, Sewanyana called for a reassessment of the law.

"What I think the British government is doing is to advance a political agenda against an agreed internationally accepted norm. And as such, we call for a review and a rethinking of the Rwanda Bill," he concluded.