Refugee in High Wycombe labels Rwanda Bill 'frightening'
The Bill passed the third reading in the Commons last night
The third reading of the Rwanda policy in the House of Commons last night saw relief for Rishi Sunak as MPs voted 320 to 276, a majority of 44, to approve the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.
The Bill, for which Sunak faced backlash and resignations, will now be sent to the house of Lords where it will be considered for amendment.
Although Tory rebels backed the motion, the Bill faced opposition from within Parliament and around.
Charities and asylum seekers alike regret the motion for a policy they label 'frightening'.
"'will they send me to Rwanda? What will happen if they send me to Rwanda and from there they send me back to where I was tortured?"
Ahmad Benswait is a political refugee from Kuwait who arrived in the UK 4 years ago, and was granted asylum last year.
Although he was legally granted the right to remain in the UK, he now fears for his nephew, who arrived a few months ago and could be among the first wave of asylum seekers sent to Rwanda.
Mr Benswait said: "There is a lot of fear. My nephew keeps asking me 'will they send me to Rwanda? What will happen if they send me to Rwanda and from there they send me back to where I was tortured?' And there is no guarantee they wouldn't do so."
"This could happen to my brothers or my friends, it's very painful and it triggers a lot of trauma."
Mr Benswait fled persecution in his home country to seek refuge and a better life for him and his family.
He now lives in High Wycombe with his wife and two children.
"It's frightening, and in terms of dignity it's humiliating to be deprived of your opinion. You can't decide where you can live."
He said: "I feel in a position of privilege, but after having been under similar conditions of oppression in my country I can understand why they would risk their lives."
"Sometimes you feel guilty because you have something that others don't have."
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Mr Benswait spoke of the fear the Rwanda Bill is leaving asylum seekers with.
He said: "It's frightening, and in terms of dignity it's humiliating to be deprived of your opinion. You can't decide where you can live."
What does the Government say?
Downing Street say the “landmark legislation” would “ensure we get flights off to Rwanda”.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The passing of the Bill marks a major step in our plan to stop the boats.
“This is the toughest legislation ever introduced in Parliament to tackle illegal migration and will make clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay.
“It is this Government and the Conservative Party who have got boat crossings down by more than a third.
“We have a plan, we have made progress and this landmark legislation will ensure we get flights off to Rwanda, deter people from making perilous journeys across the channel and stop the boats.”