NEWS · 13 June 2022
How many times in a week can this Brexit government break international law? This week they are already up to two: the new bill on the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the first Rwanda deportation flight.
Law-break #1: Northern Ireland bill
The government's Northern Ireland Protocol bill, published today, lets the Tories unilaterally tear up the Brexit deal – even though it is binding in international law, and even though they fought their whole election campaign on that 'oven-ready deal'.
It's not hard to see what the result of this will be: further trashing of the UK's international reputation, including another rebuke from the US, and a one-sided 'trade war' with the EU (which the EU could win with both hands tied behind its back).
What does the government gain? Nothing but the chance to blame all its problems on the EU, again, and pose as 'tough' in front of the ever-dwindling band of Brexit supporters.
Law-break #2: Rwanda flights
At the same time, the first planned flight to take refugees from the UK to Rwanda is planned for tomorrow (Tuesday).
And this is about more than 'offshore processing' now – the plan is to 'relocate' the refugees in Rwanda permanently. The UN's refugee agency has warned the UK that this plan is illegal under international law.
Deporting refugees is a stain on our country. If it goes ahead then we can never live it down.
The courts have so far rejected the legal case to stop the flight, but an urgent last-minute appeal is being heard today.
What you can do
Support organisations that are campaigning against the Rwanda flights including Care4Calais, JCWI and Detention Action.
Here is a crowdfunder for the legal cases to stop the flights.
We will email out actions on the Northern Ireland bill, such as writing to your MP, as the bill begins its parliamentary stages.
