Sources have confirmed that the United Kingdom and Rwanda are still dedicated to their contentious agreement to deport migrants, despite reports that support for the deal has lessened in Kigali due to ongoing delays.
Westminster has already paid the Rwandan government more than £140m but nobody has been sent to the east African country yet. The first flight was scheduled for June 2022 but was cancelled after legal challenges.
In the beginning of this month, the supreme court declared the policy to be illegal. The court expressed concerns that asylum seekers sent to this location may be sent back to their country of origin, violating both UK and international human rights laws. Despite this ruling, Rishi Sunak maintains that the policy will still be implemented.
According to the Times, high-ranking diplomats have informed the Foreign Office that Rwanda’s adherence to the agreement is at risk because of ongoing delays in flight departures.
A source from the government informed the Guardian that the process of negotiating a treaty includes identifying areas that are mutually advantageous and operating within established and understood boundaries.
Although there have been rumors about potential issues, the reality is that we are still in talks with a partner country that is eager to collaborate with us. These speculations have not affected our current position, and we are still actively working towards a resolution. Both parties are committed to finding a solution that satisfies both sides and doing so in a timely manner for the mutual benefit of all involved.
Sources from Whitehall stated that they are cognizant of the fact that Rwandan authorities are willing to continue with the discussions, however, they are worried about the negative impact of the supreme court’s decision on Paul Kagame’s administration.
Rwandan authorities are tired of constantly being told that the only way to achieve fairness and professionalism is by excluding Rwandans from decision-making.
Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for the government of Rwanda, stated that Rwanda is a secure and hospitable destination for migrants and refugees, and that the criticisms against the country are unjustified. Despite this, Rwanda remains dedicated to offering a home to those seeking safety and opportunities. As a result, they are currently collaborating with the UK government to transform the MOU (memorandum of understanding) into a treaty, strengthening the existing assurances regarding areas of concern.
In April 2022, the five-year experiment was initially introduced by then home secretary Priti Patel. It includes transferring certain asylum seekers to Rwanda for the processing of their claims.
According to the proposal, a person may be given the status of a refugee to remain in Rwanda. If not, they have the option to apply for residency on different grounds or seek asylum in another country considered safe.
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On Monday, the permanent secretary of the Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft, informed the home affairs committee that additional funds had been allocated to Rwanda in addition to the initial amount of £140 million.
A recent study by the Refugee Council revealed that the implementation of the Rwanda plan and the Illegal Migration Act have resulted in refugees losing touch with support organizations.
According to a study involving 40 organizations that assist individuals in the UK’s asylum process, the report concluded that the proposed plan to relocate refugees to Rwanda would most likely lead to even riskier journeys, force vulnerable individuals into hiding, and significantly harm their mental well-being.
Although the government argues that the act will discourage Channel crossings, research suggests that it will actually lead to more crossings.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, stated: “This report provides compelling proof of the devastating impact on human lives caused by the government’s determination to proceed with the Rwanda plan and reject refugees in need of protection.”
Source: theguardian.com
