Stumbling blocks that could still impede Rwanda deportations

Following a turbulent and extended journey, the safety regulations put forth by the government of Rwanda have ultimately arrived at the end of their parliamentary deliberations. It is expected to receive the approval of the monarch later this week. Despite this victory, the government must prepare for further challenges that will arise in the near future.

Many people in the UK, including politicians, legal professionals, and those advocating for human rights, have strongly criticized their government for proceeding with the Rwanda program. Human rights organizations from Europe and around the world have also spoken out against it. Recently, the UNHCR released a statement cautioning that the new laws proposed by the government do not adequately address the issues identified by the supreme court. This court found that Rwanda is not a safe place for individuals seeking asylum from the UK. The UNHCR has requested that the UK government reconsider their plans.

These are the obstacles that the government has yet to overcome in order to commence flights.

It is anticipated that there will be fresh legal obstacles against flights destined for Rwanda. Not only will these challenges be initiated for the benefit of individual asylum seekers who are singled out for compulsory deportation to this region in East Africa, but they will also relate to wider concerns.

The government's unusual and untried Rwanda proposal has faced opposition from most courts. Toufique Hossain, a member of the group of lawyers who fight for public law and human rights and challenge the Rwanda plan, has stated that "this law ruins the UK's established history of supporting the separation of powers, legal access, and safeguarding people from grave danger. But, there are legitimate legal methods to make sure the government is responsible, and we will utilize them for the benefit of our clients."

On Monday, Rishi Sunak announced that private planes have been scheduled to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda, but the names of the planes have not yet been shared with the public. The government's partner, AirTanker, had previously stated that they will not be involved in deportation flights to Rwanda, despite rumors circulating about their involvement. AirTanker has a contract to provide modified Airbus A330s under a private finance initiative that began in 2008 and runs until 2035.

Despite recent rumors that suggest it could assist in the UK government's Rwanda flights, the company in question has been unresponsive to comment requests in recent weeks. This could be due to negative media coverage following the withdrawal of several commercial airlines from deportation work on scheduled and charter flights. Privilege Style, a Mallorca-based company, even cancelled a planned flight to Rwanda on June 14, 2022, stating that it will not be involved in any future Rwanda flights that involve the UK government.

Of Punishment - Is It Effective?

Even though the government claimed that the number of small boat crossings had gone down by 33% in 2023, data released on Monday showed that there had been a rise of 24% in small boat crossings up to now this year when compared to the corresponding period last year. This seems to imply that individuals seeking asylum have not ceased embarking on risky dinghies due to the possibility of being deported to Rwanda.

According to a report by The Guardian, a few asylum seekers claimed that they are undeterred even by the threat of drowning in the Channel or being transferred to Rwanda, after suffering from persecution in their home countries and enduring perilous journeys. For a Syrian asylum seeker who faced persecution and imprisonment in his home country, coming to the UK is a matter of life and death. Whereas some spoke of attempting to raise funds to secure a return to Europe by seeking help from smugglers, if they were taken to Rwanda. These statements contradict the UK government's stance that transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda would disable the smugglers' business model.

Rwanda's Asylum And Housing System

There is no proof from either the British or Rwandan government confirming accommodation for the many asylum seekers that may be deported to Rwanda. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office released a document outlining that the small country has limited space, even for its own people. Moreover, the UNHCR has cautioned against the lack of established and self-governing systems in place, as Rwanda's training for judges, lawyers and officials to manage claims is not adequate enough.