Five migrants drown in English Channel as Rwanda asylum bill passes

By Devin Watkins

Just after midnight on Tuesday, Britain’s Parliament passed a bill that will allow the UK government to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Announcing the news, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his government expects the first flights to depart for Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.

The contentious bill has garnered criticism from human rights groups which have decried it as inhumane and unworkable. Each of the first 300 deportees are expected to cost the government over $2.2 million to transport to Rwanda.

The government hopes to deter migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel from France.

Channel migrant tragedy

A few hours later, five migrants drown in the Channel, including a 7-year-old girl.

They were among 110 people who set out from France aboard an overcrowded boat.

Soon after setting sail, the boat’s engine stopped a few hundred meters from shore and several people fell into the water.

Rescuers arrived quickly and saved 47 people, according to the French prefect of Wimereux, a city near Calais.

“A tragedy occurred on a boat overloaded with migrants early this morning,” Jacques Billant told reporters. “We deplore the deaths of five people, a seven-year-old girl, a woman and three men.”

Another 57 people stayed aboard the boat and managed to restart the engine and head toward Britain.

Church institutions lament bill

Catholic aid agencies have spoken out against the Rwanda refugee bill, saying the Church upholds the rights of all people.

Sarah Teather, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service UK, said her organization will continue to “oppose this and all attempts to outsource asylum.”

The St. Vincent De Paul Society for England and Wales expressed its disappointment at the bill, saying it fails to treat people with dignity and respect.

“We have consistently called for an asylum system based on principles of fairness and compassion,” said the Catholic agency. “One where people who enter it are treated with dignity and respect, and have their claims heard in line with our international obligations.”