Rishi Sunak
Parliament has passed the Rwanda Bill to authorize the UK’s plan to relocate certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the previous scheme unlawful.
Overview of the Rwanda Asylum Plan
Introduced in April 2022, the plan entails sending asylum seekers who enter the UK “illegally” after January 1, 2022, from safe countries like France, to Rwanda for processing of their asylum claims. If successful, they may be granted refugee status and allowed to stay in Rwanda. Those unsuccessful could apply to settle in Rwanda or seek asylum in another “safe third country,” with no option to return to the UK.
Number of Asylum Seekers Potentially Sent to Rwanda
Upon parliamentary approval on April 22, it was estimated that around 52,000 asylum seekers could potentially be sent to Rwanda. The government announced the initiation of detention procedures for removals on April 28. However, official documents revealed that contact was lost with a significant portion of identified individuals.
Expected Departure of the First Flights
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the first flight to Rwanda would depart within 10 to 12 weeks, with multiple flights scheduled monthly thereafter, starting from spring. Previous plans for the first flight in June 2022 were canceled due to legal challenges.
Details of the Rwanda Bill and Potential Challenges
After the Supreme Court deemed the scheme unlawful, the government introduced the Rwanda Bill to legitimize Rwanda as a safe country in UK law. The bill was met with criticism but was ultimately approved. Further legal challenges are anticipated from individual asylum seekers and expert refugee organizations.
Concerns About Rwanda’s Safety and the Supreme Court Ruling
In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled the Rwanda scheme unlawful, citing risks to genuine refugees being returned to their home countries. Concerns were raised about Rwanda’s human rights record, including incidents of extrajudicial killings and mistreatment of refugees.
Cost Implications of the Rwanda Plan
By the end of 2023, the UK had paid £240m to Rwanda, with estimated total payments of at least £370m over five years. These costs include boosting Rwanda’s economy, relocation expenses, and payments to asylum seekers. Previous figures suggested higher costs for removing individuals to a third country compared to keeping them in the UK.
Impact of the UK Rwanda Plan on Ireland
The Irish government expressed concerns about asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland due to fears of relocation to Rwanda. Despite Ireland’s plans to return these asylum seekers to the UK, the UK stated it had no legal obligation to accept returns from Ireland.
