The British government lost its legal battle over sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not going to abandon the plan.
LONDON Britain’s Supreme Court declared illegal the government’s plan to send asylum seekers by plane to Rwanda. According to the Supreme Court, Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers because of the country’s poor human rights situation.
The five-judge jury unanimously found that the government’s proposal would have significantly jeopardized the rights of asylum seekers. Those who ended up in Rwanda could be threatened with return to their country of origin. According to the Supreme Court, the decision was based on evidence.
The decision is a significant defeat for the British government. Sending asylum seekers to Rwanda has been at the heart of the Conservative government’s immigration policy. A deterrent was hoped for from Rwanda, which would discourage the entry of migrants arriving by boat across the English Channel.
The government intends to continue the Rwanda plan
However, the government is not going to abandon the Rwanda plan because of the Supreme Court’s decision. Prime minister Rishi Sunak said in parliament that the supreme court found the principle legal, so the government is making changes to the Rwanda agreement.
If the new agreement is not accepted, “the government is ready to change laws and consider its international agreements”, Sunak threatened.
He said the Supreme Court’s decision was not welcome, but the government has prepared alternative plans to stop the boats.
– We have to stop illegal immigration. We will do whatever it takes, Sunak said.
The government has previously hinted at leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. Especially the interior minister who was fired this week Suella Braverman had threatened to withdraw from the contract or change the law.
Minister of the Interior James Cleverly says that other European countries are also interested in Britain’s plan.
– There is interest in such a concept. Illegal immigration is increasing across Europe. Italy, Germany and Austria are exploring models similar to Britain’s cooperation with Rwanda, Cleverly said.
The government will hold a press conference on the matter in the afternoon.
Rwanda cooperation in court since last spring
Former Minister of the Interior Priti Patel agreed last year with Rwanda to send asylum seekers. According to the five-year agreement, Rwanda would settle asylum seekers and process their applications to Britain.
Britain promised Rwanda nearly 160 million euros in financial aid. Processing costs of EUR 14,000 would be paid for each entrant.
The first flight was stopped at the last minute in June last year by a decision of the European Court of Human Rights. In December, a court in Britain declared the Rwanda plan legal. The Court of Appeal and now the Supreme Court decided otherwise.
On boats, the aspirants divide not only the government, but also the people. The majority opposes illegal entry. This year, more than 27,000 people have come to Britain by boat. The number has dropped drastically from last year, when more than 45,000 people arrived by boat.
From Britain applied asylum during the year (from June 2022 to June 2023) more than 97 thousand people.
The price of housing asylum seekers is constantly in the news. According to the Ministry of the Interior, housing asylum seekers in hotels costs the state more than 9 million euros per day.