Various urgent applications against the first flight had failed in court in several instances. The opposition, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and human rights organizations accuse the government of violating international law with the flights.
According to media reports, even the heir to the throne, who is committed to political neutrality Prince Charles described the action as “appalling”.. In an open letter published by the Times (Tuesday), the bishops of the Church of England spoke of a “shame on the nation”. Secretary of State Liz Truss dismissed the criticism. “Our policy is perfectly legal, perfectly moral.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused lawyers trying to stop the flights of helping people smugglers.
Truss expressed optimism on the Sky News channel that the machine can take off after the green light from the British judiciary. The conservative politician left open when the plane will take off and how many people will be on board. “It is important that the flight takes place and that we introduce the principle.” It’s about showing that the business model of smuggling people by boat across the English Channel “simply doesn’t work,” said Truss. Britain has signed an agreement with Rwanda on this. People who have entered the UK illegally, regardless of their nationality or origin, are to be brought to the East African country and given the opportunity to apply for asylum there. Even if they are recognized as refugees, no return to Britain is envisaged.
However, individual objections have meanwhile meant that only a few migrants are likely to be flown out – according to information from Sky News there are seven. According to a report, the machine should not start until the evening (10:30 p.m. CEST). Truss said: “There will be people on board. And if you’re not on this flight, you’ll take the next one.”
Source: Nachrichten
