UK Passes Controversial Bill to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

The UK parliament has finally passed a contentious bill that will allow the government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be considered by the East African nation.

Key Points:

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts had been stuck between opposition in the Houses of Parliament and challenges in the British courts, as lawmakers and activists have sought to scupper the legislation on human rights grounds.
• Sunak celebrated the passing of the bill, saying it will deter vulnerable migrants from making “perilous crossings” and break the business model of criminal gangs.
• However, the bill’s passage was condemned by activists and the United Nations, who argued that it undermines international cooperation and sets a worrying global precedent.
• Amnesty International UK called the legislation “a stain on this country’s moral reputation” that “takes a hatchet to international legal protections for some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”
• The challenge facing the UK was underscored on Tuesday morning when five people were reported dead after attempting to cross from France into England.
• In theory, the legislation will see some asylum seekers landing in the UK sent to Rwanda, where their claim will be considered. If accepted, they will stay in Rwanda; if declined, they cannot be deported by Rwanda to anywhere other than the UK.
• Two years after the scheme was first conceived, the absence of any deportations so far has been considered a major failure for Sunak, who has previously marked out stopping small boats as a key priority.
• In June 2022, the first flight taking refugees to Rwanda was stopped at the last minute by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Last year, the United Kingdom Supreme Court declared the deportation scheme unlawful on the basis that the government could not guarantee the safety of migrants once they had arrived in Rwanda.

The UK’s Controversial Rwanda Asylum Bill

Clause 2 of the Rwanda Bill

According to the search results, Clause 2(1) of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill would require the UK Secretary of State and the courts to “conclusively treat Rwanda as safe” for the purposes of relocating asylum seekers there. 1 This clause aims to override previous court rulings that found Rwanda was not a safe country for asylum seekers.

Why is the UK Sending Refugees to Rwanda?

The UK government’s plan is to send some migrants who would otherwise claim asylum in Britain to Rwanda, arguing that Rwanda is a safe country for them.  The goal is to deter illegal and dangerous migration routes to the UK, particularly the small boat crossings from France. 

UK Aid to Rwanda

The search results indicate that the UK has provided over £1 billion in development assistance to Rwanda since 1998, which has helped lift more than 2 million people out of extreme poverty.  This demonstrates the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Rwanda.

Amount of UK Payments to Rwanda

The search results do not provide a specific figure for the amount of money the UK is paying Rwanda under the asylum partnership agreement. However, they note that the UK government has sent “millions of pounds to Rwanda to fund a scheme which to date has failed to deliver any results.” In summary, the key points are:

• Clause 2 of the bill aims to override previous court rulings and require the UK to treat Rwanda as a safe country for asylum seekers
• The UK’s goal is to deter illegal migration by sending asylum seekers to Rwanda
• The UK has provided substantial development aid to Rwanda over the years, totaling over £1 billion since 1998
• The specific amount being paid to Rwanda under the asylum partnership is not clearly stated in the search results

Is Rwanda safe for visitors?

Rwanda is widely regarded as one of the safest countries to explore in Africa, attracting thousands of tourists annually, primarily for activities like gorilla trekking. Visitors generally experience warm hospitality and a sense of security during their stay.

Despite its reputation for safety, Rwanda faces a potential threat of terrorist attacks, which cannot be completely disregarded. These attacks could target various locations, including those frequented by foreigners, posing a risk to tourists.

In addition, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching are not uncommon, particularly in crowded areas like markets in the capital city of Kigali. Travelers are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard their belongings.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• BBC News
• CNN