Sources say that the UK and Rwanda are still dedicated to their contentious deal on deporting migrants, despite reports that support for the agreement in Kigali has waned due to ongoing delays.
The Rwandan government has received over £140m from Westminster, however, no one has been sent to the east African nation. The inaugural flight, initially planned for June 2022, was ultimately cancelled due to legal disputes.
In the beginning of this month, the supreme court declared the policy to be illegal. They expressed concern that asylum seekers sent there could potentially be sent back to their home country, violating both UK and international human rights laws. Despite this ruling, Rishi Sunak has maintained that the policy will still be implemented.
According to the Times, senior diplomats have informed the Foreign Office that Rwanda’s adherence to the agreement is at risk because of ongoing delays in flight departures.
However, according to a government insider, the process of negotiating a treaty entails identifying areas of mutual benefit and operating within established and commonly understood boundaries.
Although some have raised concerns about potential issues, the reality is that negotiations are ongoing with a partner nation that is eager to collaborate with us. None of these speculations have altered the current status, and the effort to reach a mutually beneficial agreement continues. Both parties are committed to finding a solution promptly and accurately for the benefit of both parties.
Sources from Whitehall stated that they are aware that Rwandan officials are willing to continue with the negotiations, but they are worried about the impact of the supreme court ruling on Paul Kagame’s government.
Rwandan officials are fed up with constantly hearing that the only solution for fairness and professionalism is to exclude Rwandans from decision-making.
Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the government of Rwanda, stated that Rwanda is a secure and hospitable nation for those seeking asylum and migrating. She also addressed criticisms directed at the country, stating they are unjustified. However, Rwanda remains dedicated to offering a safe haven for those in search of security and opportunities. To strengthen the existing guarantees on matters of concern, Rwanda is collaborating with the UK government to transform the MOU (memorandum of understanding) into a treaty.
In April 2022, then home secretary Priti Patel announced a five-year trial that includes sending certain asylum seekers to Rwanda for the processing of their claims.
According to the proposal, an individual may receive refugee status to remain in Rwanda. If not, they have the option to request to live there for other reasons, or request asylum in a different “safe third country”.
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On Monday, Sir Matthew Rycroft, the permanent secretary of the Home Office, informed the home affairs committee that additional funds had been allocated to Rwanda, in addition to the initial £140 million.
According to a report by the Refugee Council, the implementation of the Rwanda plan and the Illegal Migration Act has resulted in refugees losing contact with support organizations.
According to a study involving 40 organizations that aid individuals in the UK’s asylum system, the report stated that the proposed Rwanda plan is expected to lead to riskier journeys for people, force vulnerable individuals to hide, and greatly harm their mental well-being.
Although the government says that the measure will discourage people from crossing the Channel, research indicates that it will likely have the opposite result.
The Refugee Council’s chief executive, Enver Solomon, stated: “This report provides strong evidence of the devastating impact that the government’s determination to move forward with the Rwanda plan will have on refugees seeking safety.”
Source: theguardian.com
