ECHR President Warns UK Against Breaching International Law by Ignoring Orders on Rwanda Flights

Síofra O’Leary, the head of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), has issued a warning to the UK that disregarding emergency injunctions to prevent asylum seekers from being flown to Rwanda would violate international law.

Such orders must be followed by member states, O'Leary emphasized. Despite not directly stating his intention to defy the ECHR, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has suggested the possibility by stating his unwillingness to allow a "foreign court" to halt flights.

These orders were key in halting the UK's initial attempts to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, allegations have emerged that homes previously announced by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman as designated housing for asylum seekers in Rwanda are now reportedly sold to locals or not intended for refugees, according to undercover work by OpenDemocracy.

The Rwandan government has countered these claims, stating that the housing projects in question are meant to integrate migrants with local communities, not isolate them.

The UK's Home Office has declined to comment on the claims. O'Leary's statements represent another obstacle for Sunak's immigration policy, which recently faced opposition within his own party. She reiterated that ECHR orders are legally binding, especially when there's an immediate risk of irreversible harm.

The UK's Supreme Court deemed the Rwanda deportation scheme inadmissible last November, raising concerns for deportee safety. Sunak's government is now working on new agreements with Rwanda to resolve these issues and pass a bill to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling, though it has faced resistance from the House of Lords and criticisms from Conservative MPs.

Sunak's spokesperson insists the UK's pending legislation and treaty with Rwanda meet international standards, while O'Leary refrains from comment on the bill, acknowledging the UK's robust legal debates and expertise.