Britain’s first planned deportation flight to Rwanda carrying asylum seekers of different nationalities has been blocked at the last minute by a court. The decision came after a rare intervention by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg thwarted the British government’s plans. Despite the momentous defeat in court, the Conservative British government wants to stick to its controversial plan.
“We will not be deterred from doing the right thing and protecting our country’s borders,” Interior Minister Priti Patel said Tuesday evening. Patel added that preparations for the next flight are already underway.
Interior Minister Patel: ‘I am disappointed’
“I am disappointed that last minute lawsuits and lawsuits have prevented today’s flight from taking off,” the interior minister said. It is very surprising that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) intervened after British courts previously ruled otherwise. Just a few days ago, Patel emphasized that Rwanda is a safe country.
The ECtHR had previously ordered that one of the affected asylum seekers should not be flown out in the first instance. On the contrary, a period of three weeks must first elapse after the legal proceedings in Great Britain have been completed. Hours earlier, the Supreme Court, the last British body, had given the green light for the internationally controversial project.
Instead of 37, only seven people would be deported
The number of scheduled asylum seekers for the first flight has recently fallen from 37 to seven. The court order related to one of the survivors, an Iraqi. “That allows the other six to make similar objections,” Clare Moseley of the Care4Calais foundation told Reuters. “We are so relieved.”
The ECtHR is part of the Council of Europe and is therefore also responsible for Great Britain. With a law passed in 1998, the country incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into British law. Since the Convention and the Court of Justice in Strasbourg are not part of the EU, these obligations will continue regardless of Brexit.
Rwanda plan as a deterrent
With the flight scheduled for late Tuesday evening, London was looking to announce the controversial Rwanda Pact, under which the Conservative government wants to discourage other people seeking protection from entering the UK. The agreement provides that those seeking protection who have entered Britain illegally, regardless of nationality or origin, will be brought to the East African country and given the opportunity to apply for asylum there against payment from the British government. Even if they are recognized as refugees there, there should never be a return to Britain.
The United Nations, political opponents, charities, high-ranking clergy and many other organizations see this as a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent. They were shocked by the plan.
The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to use the procedure according to its own statements to take action against gangs of people smugglers and to make unwanted entry through the English Channel unattractive. According to Johnson’s plans, Rwanda will initially receive 120 million pounds (about 144 million euros) for the cooperation. More than 28,000 migrants and refugees crossed the Channel to Britain last year.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
