In a bid to salvage its deportation plan for asylum seekers, Britain has signed a new treaty with Rwanda. The move comes after the country's Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to the government's immigration policy last month by ruling that the scheme violated international human rights laws. The new treaty, signed by British Home Secretary James Cleverly, replaces a non-binding memorandum of understanding and addresses the court's major concerns.
Under the newly signed treaty, Rwanda has committed to not expelling asylum seekers to countries where their life or freedom would be endangered. This provision directly addresses the court's concerns regarding potential threats to the wellbeing of refugees. Additionally, the treaty establishes a monitoring committee to handle confidential complaints and creates a new appeals body composed of judges from around the world.
Cleverly expressed his optimism regarding the implementation of the deportation plan, stating that with the new treaty in place, migrants could be heading to Rwanda in the coming months. However, legal experts and charities have cast doubt on the feasibility of starting deportation flights before an anticipated election next year. The opposition Labour Party, which is currently leading in polls, has announced its intention to abandon the Rwanda policy if it comes to power.
The initial plan, agreed upon last year, aimed to send thousands of asylum seekers who arrived in the UK without permission to Rwanda as a deterrent for migrants attempting the perilous journey across the English Channel. In exchange, Rwanda received an initial payment of £140 million ($180 million), with the promise of additional funding to cover accommodation and care for the deported individuals.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has been in power for just over a year, is facing immense pressure from both his own party members and many voters to reduce net migration. Net migration in the UK reached a record 745,000 last year, with the majority entering through legal channels. Sunak has set "Stop the boats" as one of his government's goals to halt the flow of asylum seekers who rely on human smugglers for their dangerous crossings.
The Supreme Court's ruling against the Rwanda plan cited the risk of incorrect assessment of refugee claims and potential persecution upon return to their country of origin. The new treaty is expected to be followed by legislation designating Rwanda as a "safe country" later this week, which is aimed at preventing legal challenges to deportation flights. Nevertheless, this move is likely to trigger further political and legal clashes. The first deportation flight, originally scheduled for last summer, was ultimately canceled due to legal challenges.
Critics argue that the government's controversial policy will face strong opposition in both the courts and parliament due to Rwanda's human rights record. They argue that transforming a country into one with an impartial judiciary and administrative culture cannot be achieved within a matter of weeks or months. Immigration lawyer Sarah Gogan described the treaty as "fairytale politics" and deemed it unworkable. Yvette Cooper, Labour's home affairs spokeswoman, dismissed the government's latest plans as mere "gimmicks."