British interior minister Suella Braverman visited Rwanda to expand a deal that allows the east African country to receive migrants who arrive in Britain without permission. The agreement aims to send thousands of migrants to Rwanda, mostly young men from Afghanistan, Albania, Iran, and Iraq. While the plan has faced legal challenges, Braverman believes that the partnership is a “world-leading” and “fair” solution to illegal migration.
Opponents argue that the scheme is impractical and costly and could criminalize genuine refugees who have few routes to seek asylum in Britain without entering the country. More than 45,000 individuals entered Britain last year by crossing the Channel in small boats from France.
During her visit, Braverman met with Rwanda’s foreign minister, Vincent Biruta, and agreed to provide extra support for migrants relocated to the country. Braverman is expected to meet with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame on Sunday. The UK government spends over £2 billion per year to house migrants and has tendered a $95 million contract to transport them to countries like Rwanda instead. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made finding a solution to this issue one of his top priorities for 2023.
UK interior minister visits Rwanda to expand deportation plan
Suella Braverman, the British interior minister, traveled to Rwanda on Saturday to expand a deal between the two countries. The agreement allows the east African nation to receive migrants who arrive in Britain without permission, as long as British courts confirm the legality of the proposals.
The UK government aims to send thousands of migrants, mostly young men from Afghanistan, Albania, Iran, and Iraq, over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) away to Rwanda, as part of a £120 million ($146 million) deal agreed upon last year. However, no deportations have occurred yet due to legal challenges from campaigners who argue that the plan is impractical and expensive. They believe that the scheme will criminalize genuine refugees who have few routes to seek asylum in Britain without entering the country.
Last year, more than 45,000 individuals entered Britain by crossing the Channel in small boats from France, according to government data.
During her visit, Braverman met with Rwanda’s foreign minister, Vincent Biruta, and stated that she had agreed to provide extra support for the migrants relocated to the country. She believes that the partnership is both humanitarian and compassionate, while also being fair and balanced.
Biruta believes that the deal will offer better opportunities for migrants and Rwandans alike and will help the British government in its goal of disrupting people-trafficking networks. Braverman is expected to meet with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame on Sunday.
The UK’s interior ministry claims that anyone who arrives in the UK illegally and cannot be returned to their home country will be relocated to Rwanda. The partnership was announced in April 2022, but its first deportation flight was blocked by an injunction from the European Court of Human Rights. However, London’s High Court ruled in December that the plan was lawful, and Braverman is optimistic about the future of the scheme. Opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict in April, and the case could ultimately reach Britain’s Supreme Court later this year.
The UK government spends over £2 billion per year to house migrants and has tendered a $95 million contract to transport them to countries like Rwanda instead. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called finding a solution to this issue one of his top priorities for 2023.
Overall, the British interior minister’s visit to Rwanda is an attempt to expand the agreement between the two countries, which aims to deal with the influx of illegal migrants entering Britain. The partnership, while facing legal challenges, is seen by Braverman as a “world-leading” and “fair” solution to the issue of illegal migration.
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