Lawyers representing the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have raised concerns about the British government’s plan to deport refugees to Rwanda, stating that the asylum system in Rwanda is inadequate and could expose asylum seekers to further dangers. The lawyers argued that sending refugees to Rwanda could result in a banned process known as refoulement, where individuals could face torture or death in other countries. This challenge is part of a series of legal hurdles facing the British government’s deportation plan.
The Rwandan government has accused the UNHCR of lying about the risks faced by asylum seekers in Rwanda, stating that the claims made in court are fabricated and unsupported. Rwanda has been collaborating with the UNHCR in bringing African migrants from Libya to safety in Rwanda, which adds to the contradiction in the claims made by the UN agency. The Rwandan government has expressed its intent to address the allegations raised by the UNHCR in court and defend its treatment of asylum seekers.
A recent hearing in the United Kingdom, where the UNHCR successfully intervened, highlighted the ongoing legal challenges surrounding the deportation initiative. The UN agency has consistently raised concerns about the risks refugees face from externalization, including the potential for refoulement. Rwanda’s government has clarified that the cases mentioned by the UNHCR in court involved individuals with legal status in other countries who did not meet Rwanda’s entry requirements, as well as people leaving voluntarily.
The British government’s deportation scheme is aimed at deterring migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK from northern France. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party has been firm in its stance to proceed with the plan if they win the upcoming July 4 election. However, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has vowed to abandon the plan if his party wins the election, indicating a potential shift in policy depending on the election outcome. The situation remains fluid as legal challenges and political debates continue to shape the future of the deportation plan.
