Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024
Originating House
House of Commons
Parliament last updated
10 June 2024
In Plain English
AI-generated
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 is a law that creates a framework for removing some asylum seekers to Rwanda. It starts from a presumption that Rwanda is safe but allows credible evidence, including court findings, to challenge that presumption, and it includes safeguards for vulnerable people, oversight measures, and transparency about the costs of removals. The policy debates during passage focused on balancing removal with the rule of law and human rights protections, and on how much scrutiny to apply to the Rwanda arrangement.
Key Points
Presumption of safety for Rwanda, with a mechanism for decision-makers (and courts) to rebut it using credible evidence.
Debates over suspensive claims: initial moves to curb delays were tempered by amendments restoring some court oversight and ability to grant interim relief.
Oversight and costs: require a timetable for removals to Rwanda and upfront cost impact assessments, plus a statutory Monitoring Committee to oversee implementation.
Protections and exemptions: provisions to protect modern slavery victims, extend exemptions for UK personnel and their families, and strengthen protections around age assessments for unaccompanied minors.
Human rights and international law: politicians debated restricting the Human Rights Act/ECHR in relation to Rwanda; many such attempts were withdrawn or limited, with final amendments emphasising rule of law and Rwanda treaty implementation.]
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Progress
The bill completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent, becoming law.
Voting
In the Commons, the governing Conservatives backed the bill while Labour and Liberal Democrats largely opposed Lords amendments; some cross‑party amendments were accepted at later stages, including stronger safeguards on safety assessments and protections for vulnerable people.
Who is affected?
Asylum seekers and other migrants facing removal to RwandaVictims of modern slavery and human traffickingBritish personnel who served overseas or worked with the UK government, and their partners and dependantsUnaccompanied asylum-seeking minors (and those affected by age assessments)People accused or convicted of serious criminal offences under the schemeImmigration judges, tribunals, and other decision-makersThe public, through safeguards and oversight of removals
Generated 21 February 2026
Bill Stages
1st readingCommons
7 Dec 2023
2nd readingCommons
12 Dec 2023
Programme motionCommons
12 Dec 2023
Committee of the whole HouseCommons
16 Jan 2024, 17 Jan 2024
3rd readingCommons
17 Jan 2024
1st readingLords
18 Jan 2024
2nd readingLords
29 Jan 2024
Committee stageLords
12 Feb 2024, 14 Feb 2024, 19 Feb 2024
Report stageLords
4 Mar 2024, 6 Mar 2024
3rd readingLords
12 Mar 2024
Programme motionCommons
18 Mar 2024
Consideration of Lords amendmentsCommons
18 Mar 2024
Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasonsLords
20 Mar 2024
Consideration of Lords messageCommons
15 Apr 2024
Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasonsLords
16 Apr 2024
Consideration of Lords messageCommons
17 Apr 2024
Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasonsLords
17 Apr 2024
Consideration of Lords messageCommons
22 Apr 2024
Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasonsLords
22 Apr 2024
Consideration of Lords messageCommons
22 Apr 2024
Royal Assent
Amendments (295)
112 not called105 not moved26 withdrawn14 not selected14 defeated12 pending10 agreed2 no decision
Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.
