Priti Patel’s cruel new bill aims to send asylum seekers to processing centres in Africa

By Monica Athnasious

Published Jun 28, 2021 at 12:37 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

19860

Priti Patel is set to propose another controversial bill—she’s back at it again—as news leaks about her plans to send asylum seekers to processing centres abroad. Rwanda, Africa being a suspected location of choice. According to an exclusive report from The Times, Patel is set to introduce laws, as early as next week, that would enable the UK government to send asylum seekers to an ‘African hub’ shared with Denmark.

The report suggests that talks have been held by both countries on a potentially shared hub. So far, the Home Office has denied these claims. The Nationality and Borders Bill is however set to follow in Denmark’s footsteps—whose government passed a similar bill just last month. The UK’s Home Office has also reportedly studied Australia’s policy in a bid to replicate its methods, which include redirecting asylum seekers travelling by sea to offshore immigration centres in neighbouring states like Papua New Guinea. The plan has ignited fury as many call Patel’s methods, rightfully, “disgusting.”

The bill will be introduced to the House of Commons next week, with the Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds stating that the plans are “unconscionable” and would be opposed by Labour. Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster group leader, tweeted, “If Priti Patel wants to send asylum seekers to Rwanda she will have a fight on her hands. Not in our name. We treat people with respect and dignity. This is inhumane in the extreme. Where is our humanity?”

Writer and activist Femi had this to say, “Priti Patel says we’re going to start sending scared and desperate refugees to offshore camps where they’ll be outside the reach of the UK’s human rights protections. No. Just no. This doesn’t happen.”

Her moves have even been compared to that of the AfD party—a German alt-right party that heavily pushes for asylum centres in the North Africa region. Wolfgang Blau took to Twitter to say that “it needs to be noted that […] the UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel is politically congruent with Germany’s far-right AfD party.”

“This Tory Govt is prepared to engage in morally reprehensible behaviour,” Blackford continued. Are we even shocked? This bill follows a long line of anti-immigrant, anti-black and anti-refugee policies set by the Tories—with Patel’s bills being labelled particularly inhumane. The Home Office was rightfully criticised for its new immigration rule, which began 1 January 2021, and would seek to deport rough sleepers who are non-UK nationals as well as for its points-based immigration system announced last year.

Not only is this a cruel reminder of this country’s treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants in general, it also reminds us of the West’s continuing colonial power in enforcing itself and its problems onto other countries. In all the discussion, does Rwanda get a say in this? I mean, that hasn’t even been spoken about. Treating people like the plastic you dump on other countries is another new low for the UK.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

The best audiobooks to unleash your main character energy, free with Amazon Music

By Abby Amoakuh

Meet Laura and Becky, the women hunting and exposing cheaters live to thousands on TikTok

By Charlie Sawyer

TMZ using Shawn Mendes’ sexuality for clicks proves they’ve learnt nothing since Liam Payne

By Abby Amoakuh

What is dark feminine energy? A complete breakdown of the witchy vibe taking over TikTok

By Charlie Sawyer

Disturbing signs reading HELP in Los Angeles go viral on X. What do we know so far?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Candace Owens’ YouTube channel suspended over antisemitic remarks in Kanye West interview

By Abby Amoakuh

Is Dune a space opera or a political warning we can’t afford to ignore?

By Charlie Sawyer

How Florida’s hurricanes could sway the presidential election. And what officials are doing to keep voters safe

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

ShxtsNGigs face major backlash: When will comedians stop targeting Black women for cheap laughs?

By Abby Amoakuh

Misogynists are using AI to both sexualise tradwives and turn normal women into domestic servants

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Is democracy for sale? How Donald Trump plans to use election betting to declare early victory

By Charlie Sawyer

What is Liam’s Law? Fans start petition to protect musicians’ mental health following One Direction star’s death

By Charlie Sawyer

Can Drake actually sue Kendrick Lamar for his Super Bowl performance diss?

By Charlie Sawyer

Health experts urge male college students to stay away from honey packets that enhance sexual performance

By Charlie Sawyer

Jenna Ortega seriously shades Johnny Depp in recent viral interview

By Abby Amoakuh

Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman’s horny Babygirl trailer bound to divide viewers

By Abby Amoakuh

From Grimes to Jenna Ortega, why are we still asking women to answer for the bad behaviour of men in their lives?

By Abby Amoakuh

Leaked voice note of Molly-Mae Hague talking about Tommy Fury’s infidelity goes viral on TikTok

By Charlie Sawyer

Bonnie Blue’s claim that all men should cheat on their wives isn’t the hot take she thinks it is

By Abby Amoakuh

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl dancer Zül-Qarnain Nantambu sets record straight on viral protest