The controversial Rwanda bill raises “major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
The statement was issued as news emerged that five migrants, including a child, had died while attempting a crossing of the English Channel on Tuesday morning.
Rishi Sunak has maintained that the Rwanda scheme, which could see asylum seekers flown to the east African country from July, will “deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings” and break the business model of the criminal gangs organising the boats.
He said on Tuesday morning: “There are reports of sadly yet more tragic deaths in the Channel this morning. I think that is just a reminder of why our plan is so important … it underscores why you need a deterrent very simply.”
But in an earlier statement, the Council of Europe commissioner Michael O’Flaherty said he was concerned over the deportation of people to Rwanda without prior assessment of their asylum claims.
He said: “The bill prevents individuals faced with removal to Rwanda from accessing remedies for potential violations of the absolute prohibition of refoulement, while it also significantly excludes the ability of UK courts to fully and independently scrutinise the issues brought before them.”