Three weeks after facing a setback with their previous initiative, the UK and Rwanda have sealed a new asylum treaty. The treaty aims to revive a controversial agreement to deport migrants who arrive in the UK illegally to Rwanda, marking an important development in the effort to address the escalating migration crisis.
The new agreement, signed in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, by British Home Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, signifies a significant shift following the mid-November ruling by the British Supreme Court, which deemed the previous project unlawful in its current form.
“We have pursued this partnership with the UK because we believe we have a role to play in this illegal immigration crisis,” assured Vincent Biruta during a press conference, while James Cleverly expressed “immense admiration for the Rwandan government, which has received a lot of criticism.”
The British Home Office emphasized that the new treaty “responds directly to the findings of the Supreme Court and presents a new long-term solution,” aiming to address the concerns raised and establish a sustainable framework.
The 43-page binding treaty ensures that migrants deported to Rwanda “will not be at risk of being returned to a country where their life or liberty would be threatened.” Additionally, it includes the establishment of “a joint tribunal with Rwandan and British judges in Kigali to ensure that migrants’ safety is guaranteed and that none of the migrants sent to Rwanda are deported back to their country,” as highlighted by Rwandan government deputy spokesman Alain Mukuralinda during the press conference. Furthermore, it pledges to ensure that all migrants’ complaints are heard.
The Home Office stressed that the text must now be ratified by the British and Rwandan parliaments, underscoring the commitment to institutional due process and democratic approval.
Prior to initialing the agreement, the new Home Office chief visited the site of the Rwandan genocide memorial, underscoring the grave historical context within which these contemporary bilateral agreements are being forged.
Consequently, this move aims to navigate the complex landscape of legalities and moral imperatives, stitched together by a shared commitment to human safety and dignity.
In the wake of the British High Court’s rejection of an appeal by the Rishi Sunak government on 15th November, discussions and disagreements have come to the fore, with Kigali disputing the characterization of Rwanda as an unsafe destination for asylum seekers and refugees.
“Rwanda has been ruled de facto with an iron fist since 1994 by Paul Kagame,” setting the stage for contentious debates about the country’s governance and human rights record, underpinning the complexities of the asylum treaty.
This development coincides with a surge in arrivals via the English Channel, with 29,705 people arriving by small boats since the beginning of the year, underscoring the urgency of pragmatic and sustainable solutions to the migration crisis.
“I’m fed up with our policy with Rwanda being blocked,” voiced British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reflecting the frustration with the stumbling blocks that have challenged the progression of this collaboration.
Parallel to the treaty, the British government intends to introduce “emergency legislation” in Parliament to designate Rwanda as a safe country, seeking to decisively address the impasse and expedite the resolution of this multifaceted issue.
The narrative is further enriched with voices advocating caution and introspection, urging a deeper consideration of Rwanda’s history of human rights abuses and the potential implications of the deportation plans.
The backdrop of political dynamics is also reflected, with the Conservative government striving to assert its stance against both legal and illegal immigration in the lead-up to the general election, setting the stage for a charged political landscape.
As this complex narrative unfolds, it serves as an emblem of the intricate interplay between legal, political, and humanitarian considerations, epitomizing the complexities of global migration challenges and the imperative for robust, compassionate, and sustainable solutions.