News

An Update on the Rwanda Plan

27 November 2023

We reflect on the decision from the Supreme Court and the subsequent proposals from the Government to introduce emergency legislation to continue attempts to remove people seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda.

What has happened? 

In April 2022, the Government announced its intention to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda. This was in fulfilment of the Nationality and Borders Act 2021, which allowed the Government to remove people considered ‘inadmissible’ to the UK asylum system to a so-called 'third safe country'. When the first flight was attempted, however, the European Court of Human Rights intervened, expressing a concern that this flight would cause ‘irreversible harm’ to those on board. Not a single person was deported on this intended flight.  

Fast forward to Summer 2023, and the UK Supreme Court found the agreement between the UK and Rwandan Governments to be unlawful as it presented human rights risks under the European Convention on Human Rights and a risk of refoulment under the Refugee Convention. The Government, nonetheless, pushed forward with an appeal, heard in early October 2023 by the Supreme Court.   

What is happening now? 

On November 15th, the Supreme Court rejected the Government’s appeal, holding firm to the previous decision that the £140 million deal that the Government has made with Rwanda is unlawful. Whilst this decision is a victory for human rights, and a reminder of the values of refugee protection enshrined in international law, the Government’s immediate response has been to announce plans to introduce emergency legislation to overwrite this ruling. Some politicians have gone as far as to call on the Government to ‘just put the planes in the air’. This proposed legislation would declare Rwanda as a safe country, in a last-ditch attempt to overwrite the current rulings.  

For a comprehensive overview of the timeline of this plan, see here.  

What needs to happen next? 

These latest statements and actions from decision-makers must be considered in the wider context of the constant erosion of human rights laws and principles protecting people who have entered the UK and those born here. Despite the judgement from the Supreme Court that goes some way to protect the human rights of people seeking asylum, the immediate response from the Government demonstrates the commitment to the erosion of these protections. We must continue to stand together to fight against any legislation in breach of national and international human rights law and call for any Government to uphold the rights of people seeking asylum in the UK.  

Many peers and MPs have already stated their intentions to block the emergency legislation and resist the Rwanda deal. We call on those across the political spectrum to join this effort to protect human rights for all. These policies are not in our name. We urge you to write to your MP to demonstrate your opposition and make it clear that this attempt to override international human rights legislation would have dire and life-threatening consequences for people seeking safety in the UK.  

 

Sarah (Campaigns Volunteer) and Iona Taylor (Advocacy and Campaigns Lead)

 

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