The British government has failed in court with its plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. A London appeals court ruled on Thursday that Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s plan was illegal. The judges ruled by majority that Rwanda cannot be regarded as a safe third country.
The three deciding judges cited shortcomings in the Rwandan asylum procedure as the reason. As long as these are not remedied, deportations to the African country will be illegal. It is possible that people seeking protection in Rwanda will be sent back to their country of origin, even though they are entitled to asylum. The decision can still be appealed to the UK Supreme Court.
Deal with the government in Kigali
Braverman’s plans provide that people who have entered the UK irregularly – regardless of their origin and without their asylum application having been examined – will be detained and deported to Rwanda as soon as possible. Then they have to apply for asylum. A return to Britain is not planned. There is an agreement on this with the government in Kigali, which has repeatedly been criticized by civil rights activists for violating human rights.
Last year, around 45,000 migrants crossed the English Channel to Britain in small boats – more than ever before. More than 11,000 people have illegally entered the UK via this route so far this year. A few days ago, the British government published a cost overview, according to which the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda costs the equivalent of more than 195,000 euros per deportation.
First deportation flight stopped
The first scheduled deportation flight a year ago was halted by an order from the European Court of Human Rights. This had banned the British government’s plan as long as the legal proceedings in Britain have not been completed. In December, the highest court in London ruled that the planned deportations were lawful. Human rights organizations subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal.
The plan of Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – it is based on a deal that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had already made – was widely criticized internationally. Human rights defenders called it a violation of international obligations.
No deal with the EU since Brexit
The UK has not built capacity to accept migrants and has not had a readmission agreement with the EU since Brexit. Many people are therefore accommodated in hotels, which entails high costs for the taxpayer.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
