The British government planned to fundamentally deport irregular migrants to Rwanda. The Supreme Court in London has now declared this illegal. Rwanda cannot be trusted to protect migrants from mistreatment.
The UK Supreme Court has ruled a controversial government plan to deport migrants to Rwanda illegal.
The five-member jury unanimously supported an appeal ruling from June that questioned the safety of asylum seekers in Rwanda.
There is reason to believe there is a real risk that asylum applications in Rwanda will not be processed appropriately, the court’s statement said. Asylum seekers would thus be exposed to the risk of being sent back to their home countries. In addition, one cannot trust Rwanda’s promise not to subject asylum seekers to mistreatment. The court referred to the country’s poor human rights record.
Central project of the Sunak government
The United Kingdom signed an agreement with Rwanda in April 2022. According to this, asylum seekers who arrive in Great Britain via the English Channel, regardless of their origin, should be sent to the East African country where their asylum applications should be processed.
Either they would then receive asylum there, or they would have to try to stay in Rwanda with a different status or submit an application in another country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government said the plan would deter people from risking their lives by crossing the English Channel. It would also help to take action against smuggling gangs. The plan was a key plan of the Sunak government, but has not yet been implemented because there were complaints against it.
The government had argued in court that it had carefully weighed the risks. She would ensure that the government of Rwanda sticks to its commitment to protect the rights of migrants, she said.
Sunak announces new Rwanda deal
After the legal defeat, Sunak announced a new deal with Rwanda. Sunak said in Parliament in London that his government had already been working on the agreement before the court’s decision. “This was not the outcome we were hoping for, but we have spent the last few months planning for all eventualities.”
He emphasized sticking to the fact that the boats had to be stopped. “Illegal migration destroys lives and costs British taxpayers millions of pounds a year. We must stop it and we will do whatever it takes to stop it,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Human rights activists: “Victory of Humanity”
Opposition politicians, refugee groups and human rights organizations considered the project unethical and unworkable. They celebrated the verdict as a victory for humanity and the defeat of policies that violate human rights.
The Rwanda plan was cruel and immoral from the start, said a joint statement from around 130 organizations and groups. The government must immediately refrain from such plans, be it with Rwanda or any other country.