In an announcement that has sparked waves of debate and concern, a senior minister in the United Kingdom revealed on Tuesday that the country intends to deport nearly 6,000 migrants to Rwanda during the current year. This decision comes shortly after the British government outlined a new deportation plan aimed at deterring arrivals of migrants on small boats from Northern Europe, a measure that was enacted into law after months of parliamentary controversy.
According to reports from Lamonde, Rwanda has “in principle” agreed to host no fewer than 5,700 migrants currently in the UK, according to the Interior Ministry. Among these migrants, 2,143 are locatable for detention before their transfer by plane to Rwanda, authorities have stated.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins asserted that authorities would strive to locate the remaining migrants, adding that “we hope to clear this group of people by the end of the year.” She also emphasized the government’s determination to track down those who do not voluntarily report themselves, stating, “If someone doesn’t report themselves as they should, we will find them.”
The Interior Ministry clarified that migrants who arrived in the UK between January 2022 and June 2023 risk having their asylum claims rejected and could be deported to Rwanda. These measures come as official statistics reveal that over 57,000 individuals have arrived on small boats after attempting to cross the English Channel over the past 18 months.
This decision underscores the significant challenges facing the UK in its efforts to tackle irregular arrivals, as well as the limitations of the government’s controversial project to relocate some migrants to Rwanda. Under this plan, which is expected to incur substantial costs for British taxpayers, asylum claims will be reviewed by authorities in Kigali. Approved migrants will be allowed to stay in Rwanda and will not be returned to the UK.
Rwanda, often touted as one of Africa’s most stable countries, with its 13 million inhabitants in the Great Lakes region, has been praised for its modern infrastructure. However, human rights groups have regularly criticized Rwandan President Paul Kagame, accusing him of suppressing dissent and freedom of expression.
This deportation policy to Rwanda has also drawn criticism in the UK, particularly following the passage of the Rwanda Security Bill last week, which compels British judges to consider the country a safe place for asylum seekers. This legislation also grants decision-makers the ability to bypass certain provisions of international and national human rights law.
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