Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether (1) women, (2) girls, and (3) LGBT+ people, who are relocated to Rwanda will be afforded the same safety as in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Rwanda is a safe and secure country with respect for the rule of law. We have carried out a robust report that demonstrates our commitment to fully evaluating whether Rwanda would be suitable for each potentially eligible person to be relocated.
We would only ever work with countries that we know are safe and will treat asylum seekers in accordance with relevant international human rights laws. Furthermore, Rwanda’s constitution includes a broad prohibition on discrimination.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether families will be split up through the new Asylum Partnership Arrangement with Rwanda; and if not, what evidence they have that the policy will not lead to increased trafficking of women and children.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Other than unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, anyone arriving in the UK whose claim is inadmissible and who has undertaken a dangerous journey to the UK on or after 1 January 2022 may be considered for relocation to Rwanda.
Everyone considered for relocation will be screened and have access to legal advice. Decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis and nobody will be removed if it is unsafe or inappropriate for them.
We comply fully with the UK’s legal obligations, including under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. For those with family links in the UK, who want to be considered for entry to the UK, they should seek to do so via legal and safe routes. Nobody should put their lives into the hands of criminal people smuggling gangs by making dangerous and irregular journeys.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they will use to determine whether someone arriving in the UK, outside of the authorised channels, is eligible for being relocated to Rwanda.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Other than unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, anyone arriving in the UK whose claim is inadmissible and who has undertaken a dangerous journey to the UK on or after 1 January 2022 may be considered for relocation to Rwanda.
Everyone considered for relocation will be screened and have access to legal advice. Decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis and nobody will be removed if it is unsafe or inappropriate for them.
We comply fully with the UK’s legal obligations, including under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. For those with family links in the UK, who want to be considered for entry to the UK, they should seek to do so via legal and safe routes. Nobody should put their lives into the hands of criminal people smuggling gangs by making dangerous and irregular journeys.
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether families will be split up through the new Asylum Partnership Arrangement with Rwanda; and if not, what evidence they have that the new policy will not lead to increased trafficking of women and children.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether any (1) women, (2) girls, and (3) LGBT+ people, who are relocated to Rwanda, will be afforded the same safety as in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they will use to determine whether someone arriving in the UK other than by authorised channels is eligible for being relocated to Rwanda.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member
Asked by: Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure sufficient funding to enable adequate passport checking facilities at the Port of Dover following the end of the transition period for the UK's departure from the EU.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
Passport checks conducted by Border Force at Dover are limited to those conducted on outbound passengers, as UK immigration controls are located at the juxtaposed controls in France for inbound journeys.
All passengers travelling inbound to the Port of Dover are already required to show a passport (plus any relevant UK immigration document or permission) or an EEA National Identity card to pass through the juxtaposed controls.
The operation of the juxtaposed controls is based on bilateral agreements with France, rather than us being part of the EU, so will continue after the transition period has ended.
Passport checks are already conducted on 100% of outbound passengers by the carrier on behalf of Border Force under exit check provisions.