October 10, 2023
2 mins read

UK’s Rwanda migrant plan under scrutiny at highest court

The judges are hearing arguments over whether two appeal judges were right to find there was a “real risk” asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution when they may have a strong asylum claim…reports Asian Lite News

Rwanda is a country that “imprisons, tortures and murders” its opponents, including those who have already fled the country, the UK’s supreme court has heard.

Raza Husain KC, representing asylum seekers challenging the Rwanda policy, told five senior judges of human rights breaches in the east African country. He said opponents of the Rwandan government were at risk of police violence and “absolute repression”.

Addressing the judges on the first day of a three-day hearing to determine the legality of the Home Office’s controversial policy, Husain said: “Rwanda’s asylum system is woefully deficient and marked by acute unfairness. The secretary of state [Suella Braverman] has an uphill task in seeking to defend Rwanda’s asylum system.

“She does not dispute the state of Rwandan asylum system significantly but rather seeks to ignore it.”

The Home Office is bringing the challenge after the court of appeal ruled in June that the multimillion-pound deal – under which some people who arrive in the UK via irregular means would be sent to the east African country to have their asylum applications processed – was unlawful.

The judges are hearing arguments over whether two appeal judges were right to find there was a “real risk” asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution when they may have a strong asylum claim.

Husain told the court Rwanda was an “authoritarian, one-party state” that “imprisons, tortures and murders those it considers to be its opponents”, adding that Home Office officials had “repeatedly recorded their concerns about it”.

The UK government is arguing that the scheme is lawful and safe. The UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) is intervening in the case. Ten asylum seekers from a variety of conflict zones including Syria have challenged aspects of the ruling.

Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, told the court there was a strong public interest in taking steps to deter people taking the “perilous” journey across the Channel to reach the UK.

He said the government attached “considerable importance” to its Rwanda deportation policy, adding there was “a serious and pressing need to take effective steps that will act as a deterrent to those undertaking the perilous and sometimes life-threatening journey, typically across the Channel, from a safe country”.

“This is a bespoke scheme with a very clear and expressed aim,” he said. “There are detailed assurances from Rwanda regarding the processing they are going to put in place and reception arrangements. The scheme will be independently monitored.”

ALSO READ-Rwanda reburies remains of over 10,000 genocide victims

Previous Story

India, Tanzania Explore Local Currency Trade

Next Story

Party Expels Former Chinese Legislator Over Discipline Violation

Latest from -Top News

Call to Greylist Pakistan Over Terror Links

Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region….reports Asian Lite News

Colombia backs India on terror

The change in tone from Colombia is seen as diplomatically significant, especially given its forthcoming role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In a diplomatic correction welcomed

Yunus under fire for poll claims

The backlash was sparked by Yunus’ comments during a visit to Japan earlier this week, where he reportedly said that “no one except one party wants elections in December.” Bangladesh’s fragile political
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK Parliament passes Rwanda asylum law

The home secretary, James Cleverly, says it was a “landmark

SC Unanimously Rejects UK’s Rwanda Migration Plan

Last year, a record 45,775 people were detected arriving without