UK Interior Minister Signs Fresh Rwanda Treaty to Revive Asylum Proposal
The UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has signed a binding treaty with Rwanda, aiming to reactivate a contentious plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, despite a previous court ruling that such deportations would breach international human rights commitments.
This move is central to the government's campaign to tackle unauthorized immigration, with other countries monitoring the situation for potential policy adoption. The UK Supreme Court had earlier flagged that the initial scheme could lead to the expulsion of asylum seekers to countries where they might face harm, violating their rights.
The updated agreement, replacing an earlier non-binding agreement, is said to address these human rights concerns, providing assurances that deportees will not be sent to countries where they are at risk and establishing both a confidential complaints procedure and an international judicial appeal process. The Home Secretary expects deportations to start in the coming months.
Despite this, skepticism remains, with legal and charitable sectors doubting the commencement of deportations before the anticipated elections, where the leading opposition party, Labour, has pledged to scrap the Rwanda policy.
Initially, the UK agreed to transfer numerous unauthorized asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter risky Channel crossings, financing Rwanda with £140 million initially, promising more for the upkeep of deportees.
Currently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces substantial pressure to reduce record-high net migration, with "Stop the boats" being one of his government's main objectives.
Although the UK aims to legislate Rwanda as a 'safe country' to prevent legal obstacles to deportations, critics argue that the policy remains contentious and unfeasible, predicting further political and legal disputes.
The updated agreement, replacing an earlier non-binding agreement, is said to address these human rights concerns, providing assurances that deportees will not be sent to countries where they are at risk and establishing both a confidential complaints procedure and an international judicial appeal process. The Home Secretary expects deportations to start in the coming months.
Despite this, skepticism remains, with legal and charitable sectors doubting the commencement of deportations before the anticipated elections, where the leading opposition party, Labour, has pledged to scrap the Rwanda policy.
Initially, the UK agreed to transfer numerous unauthorized asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter risky Channel crossings, financing Rwanda with £140 million initially, promising more for the upkeep of deportees.
Currently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces substantial pressure to reduce record-high net migration, with "Stop the boats" being one of his government's main objectives.
Although the UK aims to legislate Rwanda as a 'safe country' to prevent legal obstacles to deportations, critics argue that the policy remains contentious and unfeasible, predicting further political and legal disputes.
