The British Court of Appeal has declared the controversial plan to deport migrants who entered the UK illegally to Rwanda as unlawful. The court cited safety concerns and highlighted the risk of those deported to Rwanda being returned to their home countries where they may face persecution and inhumane treatment. Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett, stated that Rwanda is not a safe third country due to deficiencies in its asylum system. The court’s decision comes as a blow to the government, which intends to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court.
In response to the ruling, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed strong disagreement and vowed to seek permission to refer the matter to the Supreme Court. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the UK government, not criminal gangs, to decide who comes into the country. The government argues that Rwanda is a safe country despite the court’s decision.
Illegal immigration has been a key priority for the UK government. Despite promises to “take back control” of borders following Brexit, the number of migrants crossing the English Channel from France in small boats reached a record high in 2022, with over 45,000 migrants making the journey. More than 11,000 migrants have already crossed the channel in 2023.
The Court of Appeal clarified that its decision did not express any view on the political merits of the deportation policy but rather focused on its compliance with the law. The government of Rwanda stated that it remains committed to working with the UK despite the court’s decision, while also disputing the claim that it is not a safe country for refugees and asylum seekers. However, Rwanda has faced criticism for its repression of political opposition and lack of respect for freedom of expression.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the court’s ruling and urged the UK Home Secretary to abandon the deportation plan. The organization called for an end to the hostile environment towards refugees and asylum seekers and emphasized the importance of treating them with dignity and respect.
The deportation project to Rwanda was initially deemed legal by the High Court in London last December. However, legal challenges have put the project on hold. No deportations have taken place yet, as a scheduled flight in June 2022 was canceled following a call by the European Court of Human Rights for a thorough review of the policy.
The plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was introduced during Boris Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister as a deterrent to illegal crossings of the English Channel. In recent years, numerous migrants have lost their lives while attempting to cross the busy strait
