In a bid to tackle the increasing number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to start deporting them to Rwanda within the next 10 to 12 weeks. Addressing the upper house of Parliament, Sunak emphasized his determination to push through new legislation, despite opposition from critics concerned about the plan's legality and inhumanity.

To enforce the policy, the government has made arrangements for commercial charter planes and trained staff to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Sunak hopes that this tough stance will boost the declining popularity of his Conservative Party ahead of the upcoming elections later this year.

Despite facing weeks of opposition in the House of Lords, Sunak has declared that the government will utilize drastic measures, even if it means late-night sessions in Parliament, to secure the passage of the legislation. "No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda," Sunak asserted during a press conference.

The East African country has been chosen as a deterrent to discourage asylum seekers from attempting the risky journey across the English Channel. Numerous asylum seekers, fleeing conflicts and poverty in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, have reached Britain through these perilous routes organized by human smuggling gangs.

However, several charities and rights groups, including Care4Calais and Freedom from Torture, have condemned the plan as both unworkable and cruel. They advocate for refugee rights and implore the UK government to treat asylum seekers with decency, rather than sending them to an uncertain and unsafe future in Rwanda.

The new legislation proposed by Sunak is a response to last year's UK Supreme Court ruling, which deemed the deportation of migrants to Rwanda as illegal under international law. Sunak expressed his frustration, stating, "Enough is enough. No more prevarication. No more delay." He envisions the implementation of multiple flights per month throughout the summer months as part of his strategy to curb the arrivals.

Although the government deems halting the influx of asylum seekers as a crucial objective, critics argue that deporting individuals to Rwanda is inhumane, emphasizing concerns about the safety of the East African nation. Some Labour and cross-party peers are advocating for the legislation to include safeguards for Afghans who assisted British troops and the establishment of a committee to monitor the well-being of asylum seekers in Rwanda.

The UK's approach mirrors that of other European countries such as Austria and Germany, who are also exploring agreements to process asylum seekers abroad. As the debate on the issue intensifies, the fate of those seeking refuge remains uncertain, and the international community will closely observe the development of this controversial deportation policy.