Stop Deportation of Refugees to Rwanda

Zack Polanski AM proposed, and Sakina Sheikh AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly is concerned that the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill, which has become law, includes plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The main concerns are:

• People who cross the Channel seeking refuge and asylum will be taken to an RAF base in Yorkshire before being sent 4,500 miles away to Rwanda for 'processing'; and
• Offshoring asylum processing for those who have fled war, violence, famine and persecution is inhumane and cruel. This plan violates the principle of the UN Refugee Convention, of which the UK was a founding signatory, which states that we must “grant people a fair hearing on UK soil”.

The Assembly notes that London draws huge strength from the contribution of migrants and refugees who make London their home. The GLA convenes the Migrant and Refugee Advisory Panel (MRAP) comprising 24 member organisations, including the Refugee Council, Liberty and the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group.

The Assembly notes the previous motion of 10 February 2022 when the Assembly condemned the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill, and called on both the Chair of the Assembly and the Mayor of London to each write separately to the Home Secretary to express its condemnation of this Bill on behalf of Londoners.

This Assembly now calls on the Mayor and Chair of the Assembly to do the same with respect to this disastrous plan, by writing to Government to say no to offshoring people seeking refuge and to demand the end of the deal with Rwanda.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion in the name of Zack Polanski AM was agreed, with 18 votes being cast in favour and 2 votes being cast against.