APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – The UK government is set to engage Rwanda in a new migration treaty to deport asylum seekers and refugees currently established in the UK to Rwanda, local media reported quoting an official source in Kigali.
The announcement was made public after the UK Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a “controversial” government plan to send undesirable migrants to Rwanda and upheld a lower court ruling that it was unlawful.
The ruling represented a major setback for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A five-judge panel at the UK’s highest court unanimously sided with Court of Appeal judges that the policy was incompatible with Britain’s obligations under international treaties.
Taking to X formerly Twitter to react to the ruling, the UK Prime Minister said that his commitment “to stopping the boats is unwavering…the government has been working on a new treaty with Rwanda, and we’ll finalise that in light of today’s judgment.”
Sunak said he was prepared to revisit UK domestic legal frameworks if necessary.
The UK Supreme Court’s decision was based on the claim that there are “substantial grounds for believing that asylum seekers would face a real risk of ill-treatment by reason of refoulment to their country of origin if they were removed to Rwanda.”
Reacting to the decision, Yolande Makolo, the Rwandan government spokesperson indicated that Kigali and London have been working together to ensure integration of relocated asylum seekers into Rwandan society.
On Wednesday’s ruling regarding the migration & economic development partnership with London, Ms. Makolo said it was ‘ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system to make.
”But we take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees in terms of refoulment,” said Makolo writing on X.
Sunak’s ruling Conservative Party have insisted the Rwanda scheme is crucial to reducing illegal immigration across the English Channel on small boats — an issue set to feature prominently in the next general election.
But the ruling scuppers a saga that began in April last year when Britain signed a deal with Rwanda to send undocumented migrants to interim centres in the East African country, and leaves the UK leader’s immigration agenda in tatters.
However, the Rwandan government spokesperson said that Rwanda is committed to its international obligations.
“We have been recognised by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees,” Makolo said.
CU/as/APA