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Why are human rights groups condemning the Rwanda bill? Here’s what you need to know

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/why-are-human-rights-groups-condemning-the-rwanda-bill-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ Many articles from LeftFootForward today.

Despite the findings of the Supreme Court, the government is compelling judges to treat Rwanda as a safe country.

The passage of the Rwanda Bill late last night, after a parliamentary showdown ended between the Commons and the Lords, has been met with condemnation and outrage by a number of human rights groups.

Some have described it as a ‘national disgrace’ while others slammed it as cruel and inhumane.

Sunak had made stopping small boat crossings across the channel a major priority, with his Rwanda Bill a key part of his plans in doing so. The Prime Minister says that the first flights removing asylum seekers who arrive illegally to the UK to the east African country are due to take off in 10-12 weeks time.

So why are human rights groups condemning the legislation and why are they concerned?

Rwanda is not a safe country, Supreme Court rules

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Disregarding domestic and international law

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‘Genuine refugees would be at risk of being returned to their home countries, where they could face harm’

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/why-are-human-rights-groups-condemning-the-rwanda-bill-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ Many articles from LeftFootForward today.

Continue ReadingWhy are human rights groups condemning the Rwanda bill? Here’s what you need to know

It’s time to ban MPs from taking donations from fossil fuel firms

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/its-time-to-ban-mps-from-taking-donations-from-fossil-fuel-firms/ Many articles from LeftFootForward today.

We need to build a firewall between politicians and the oil and gas firms driving the climate crisis.

Richard Burgon is the Labour MP for Leeds East

The same oil and gas giants behind the record energy bills that have forced so many into poverty have also brought us to the cliff edge of climate catastrophe.

If we are to have a fighting chance of preventing the worst of the climate crisis, then we need to rapidly cut fossil fuel use. Key to that is breaking the vast power that oil and gas companies have over our politics.

That’s why this week I will present a Bill in the House of Commons to ban MPs from receiving funding or any other benefit from oil and gas companies.

My Private Members Bill would stop MPs from taking any second jobs with, or receiving any donations, gifts, hospitality or benefits-in-kind from, any company that makes more than 50% of its annual revenue from oil or gas.

It would also force the Government to end investments by the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund in any oil and gas companies.

The aim of my Bill is simple: to build a firewall between our political decision-makers and the oil and gas corporations that have knowingly caused the climate crisis.

For decades, oil and gas giants used their vast financial power to confuse and undermine the science about the role of fossil fuels in driving climate change. More recently, their focus has moved on throwing huge sums at delaying, blocking and weakening global climate action.

Fossil fuel money also pollutes British politics. The Tory Party received £3.5m from donors with fossil fuel, polluter and climate denial links in 2022 according to an analysis of Electoral Commission records by DeSmog, an investigative website focused on global warming misinformation campaigns.

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/its-time-to-ban-mps-from-taking-donations-from-fossil-fuel-firms/

dizzy: Despite this article having been written by a Labour MP it should not be assumed that the UK Labour Party will be any different from the Conservatives on the climate crisis or fossil fuel industry.

Continue ReadingIt’s time to ban MPs from taking donations from fossil fuel firms

Greens pledge to support repeal of new Rwanda deportation law

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Image of the Green Party's Carla Denyer on BBC Question Time.
Image of the Green Party’s Carla Denyer on BBC Question Time.

Responding to the Rwanda Bill completing its parliamentary stages, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

“I don’t want people risking their lives crossing the channel in small boats. But the way to stop that isn’t this punitive, inhumane approach. It’s providing safe and legal routes for people to apply for asylum from overseas, and working to fix the reasons that people are having to claim asylum – including wars and the climate crisis.  

“This new Act is simply a very expensive way to be cruel. We need to get the humanity back into our refugee policy and Green MPs will certainly seek this Act’s repeal after the General Election.” 

Continue ReadingGreens pledge to support repeal of new Rwanda deportation law

High Court judge blocks contempt of court action against woman who held up a sign

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/high-court-judge-blocks-contempt-court-action-against-woman-who-held-sign

Trudi Warner with supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, April 18, 2024

A HIGH COURT judge has refused to allow contempt proceedings against a retired social worker who held up a sign outside a court where Insulate Britain activists were due to be tried.

Trudi Warner, from Walthamstow, East London, told of her relief following today’s ruling.

She was arrested on March 27 last year and accused of “deliberately targeting” the jury by holding up a placard outside an entrance used by jurors at Inner London Crown Court.

The sign read: “Jurors you have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience.”

Rendering judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Justice Saini said he would not give the Solicitor General permission to pursue proceedings against Ms Warner as she had “accurately informed potential prospective jurors about one of their legal powers.”

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“The proper forum for the Solicitor General to address this concern is Parliament, not by way of contempt proceedings,” he said.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/high-court-judge-blocks-contempt-court-action-against-woman-who-held-sign

Continue ReadingHigh Court judge blocks contempt of court action against woman who held up a sign

Yet another broken pledge from Rishi Sunak: PM ditches promise to get flights off to Rwanda by the Spring

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/yet-another-broken-pledge-from-rishi-sunak-pm-ditches-promise-to-get-flights-off-to-rwanda-by-the-spring/ Many articles from LeftFootForward today.

He now says that he expects deportation flights to take off to the east African country in 10-12 weeks’ time.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing yet more humiliation after breaking yet another pledge, which he insisted he was on track to meet just two weeks ago.

Rishi Sunak had promised that flights removing asylum seekers to Rwanda, who had arrived via illegal routes, would be taking off in the Spring, despite the legislation being hit by a number of delays and setbacks.

He now says that he expects deportation flights to take off to the east African country in 10-12 weeks’ time.

Sunak’s press conference at Downing Street this morning came as his flagship Rwanda bill undergoes the Parliamentary ‘ping-pong’ stage between the Lords and the Commons, with both Houses of Parliament scheduled to sit late into the night today to get the bill passed.

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https://leftfootforward.org/2024/04/yet-another-broken-pledge-from-rishi-sunak-pm-ditches-promise-to-get-flights-off-to-rwanda-by-the-spring/ Many articles from LeftFootForward today.

Continue ReadingYet another broken pledge from Rishi Sunak: PM ditches promise to get flights off to Rwanda by the Spring