More than thirty asylum seekers could board on Tuesday for a one-way trip from England to Rwanda, a third country. A British judge on Friday allowed the contested evictions to run their course. ‘The plan to outsource to Rwanda, one of the world’s poorest countries, the UK’s obligations to refugees, has been controversial since it was announced on April 14’emphasizes the Guardian.
The daily believes that Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, will see this decision “ as an important victory”. The Minister commented that “nothing will stop us from breaking the deadly smuggling market and ultimately saving lives”. The Conservative government hopes that “this measure will discourage asylum seekers from crossing the Channel, showing that many of these cases will now be handled by Rwanda”explains the BBC.
Boris Johnson also welcomed the decision on Twitter. “We cannot allow human traffickers to put lives at risk and our partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals”, wrote the Prime Minister. https://news.sky.com/story/rwanda-deportation-plan-first-flight-can-go-ahead-high-court-rules-12631489″>For Sky Newsthe maintenance of these evictions has everything “desperately awaited good news” au 10, Downing Street. “After the Partygate turmoil and Monday’s vote of confidence, the government will be relieved to talk about something else during the media tour next week”.
Judge Swift of the High Court held that there was a “public interest” to implement the government’s plan. In his view, the risks for asylum seekers mentioned by the complainants are ” the speculation “. As for the cost of the operation, another criticism, “I accept the fact that a deportation to Rwanda will be expensive”did he declare.
The annoyance of Prince Charles
In defense of her measure, Ms Patel insisted on the safety of Rwanda for refugees. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10903725/Rwanda-migrant-plan-Three-asylum-seekers-deported-week-NOT-removed.html”>Le Daily Mail notes, however, that on Friday, the very day of the court ruling, the army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo fired two rockets in the direction of Rwanda. Tensions are high between the two countries.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/asylum-seekers-resettled-rwanda-eu-scheme-abandoned-poverty/”>Le Daily Telegraph sent reporters to the land of a thousand hills to investigate the status of refugees since Rwanda is hosting 150,000 people from neighboring Burundi and Congo, in addition to a few hundred victims of the conflict in Libya under an agreement with the United Nations.
The country, the size of Wales but four times more populated, has built the image of the “Africa’s Miracle Nation” after the 1994 genocide, the newspaper noted. Police are refusing journalists access to the Gashora transit center where around 300 refugees live for fear that one of the residents “say something detrimental to this image”says the Telegraph.
His reporters were still able to talk to some refugees who say they lack everything, food and medical assistance in particular, while living “in constant fear of the security forces”.
Yvette Cooper, of the Labor opposition, denounces a plan “unfeasible, exorbitantly expensive, immoral and deeply contrary to what makes British identity”raise it Guardian. The Care4Calais and Detention Action associations are also taking action, pointing out, among other things, the limits of the asylum system in Rwanda and the risk for applicants of being deported to countries where they could be persecuted, reports the BBC.
The measure also seems to have angered Prince Charles, reveals the Times. He would have called him“appalling”, but in private only, insists the newspaper. The son of Elizabeth II would be all the more frustrated as he must represent the country in Kigali on June 23. Charles would not, however, have sought to influence the government. “His public interventions on controversial subjects have become increasingly rare in recent years”recalls the Times.
Quoted by GuardianSonya Sceats, of the organization Freedom from Torture, warned that “The fight was far from over”. Judge Swift allowed the majority of plaintiffs to appeal. The appeal is expected to be heard on Monday.