On Thursday, British Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta visited Geneva to gain international support for the two countries’ controversial plan to relocate illegal immigrants from the United Kingdom to Rwanda.
Together, they sought to emphasise on their “leadership on the international stage in addressing the issue of illegal migration” as well as their commitment to promoting a “fairer” global asylum system that will foster “humane and respectful treatment of refugees.”
Combatting illegal migration is a global challenge that needs global cooperation.
— UK Mission Geneva 🇬🇧 (@UKMissionGeneva) May 19, 2022
Today the Home Secretary @pritipatel & Rwandan FM @Vbiruta visited Geneva to discuss the innovative UK-Rwanda partnership with @Refugees & @UNHumanRights.
Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/cs6KuHkeHj
Patel, in particular, sought to assure that prior to signing the “ground-breaking” deal, the Johnson government had undertaken strenuous assessments to determine that Rwanda is a “fundamentally safe and secure country with a proud track record of supporting asylum seekers.” To this end, a press release by the UK government asserted that the agreement would “save lives.”
Likewise, they stressed that Rwanda would “process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention” and that they would both “work in collaboration with UN agencies.
🇬🇧&🇷🇼 stand together in promoting a new, fairer, more effective global asylum system.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) May 19, 2022
Incredibly useful to discuss our partnership in detail with @UN partners in Geneva today.
All nations & int'l agencies must work together to address illegal migration & urgently save lives. pic.twitter.com/huRSUDYQ2Y
Biruta argued that Rwanda has a “long history” of offering asylum, highlighting that the country is currently home to 130,000 refugees.
Meanwhile, Patel claimed that the trip was successful in “assuaging the concerns” of UN partners about the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, which she said will “deter criminality, exploitation and abuse, while supporting the humane and respectful treatment of refugees.”
The two officials met with the UN permanent representatives of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. They also met with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Right Nada Al-Nashif.
Met @pritipatel and @Vbiruta. Reiterated UNHCR’s concerns about the UK-Rwanda deal. Shifting asylum responsibilities is not the solution. UNHCR will continue proposing concrete alternatives that respect international refugee law. See my previous statement: https://t.co/ZMHidSQuAS
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) May 19, 2022
The Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership, signed on April 14, has faced heavy criticism, with rights groups condemning it as “shockingly ill-conceived” and “far removed from humanity.”
The bilateral deal faces legal blockades with the asylum seekers challenging its legality and seeking a judicial review on the grounds that it was signed without any legislation, debate, or vote in the Parliament.
The refugee charity Care4Calais has also initiated a legal campaign against the Rwanda Deal, highlighting “serious concerns” about the policy. The Government has thus been forced to delay the first flights until June 6, according to a notice received by the campaigners on Wednesday.
The Home Office has replied to these petitions stating that “it was always to be expected.” Patel added that the Government is nevertheless committed to weed out illegal migrants using “every tool and every piece of legislation.”
The British Home Office had said on May 9 that migrants who face relocation will be informed in the same week of the Government’s intention to resettle them. Patel added that it may take some time, with law firms creating “hurdles and barriers.”
The dignitaries’ visit to Geneva and the delay in implementation comes against the backdrop of Kigali unveiling three of the five facilities that will host 50 migrants from the UK.
Deputy government spokesperson Alan Mukuralinda said that as per the deal, Rwanda will “host” the migrants for five years, following which they will have the option of applying for asylum in the country. He said that the refugees will be “free” once they get their “asylum seeker status.”
The arrival date of the first migrants to Rwanda is not yet confirmed. We know that the UK has informed the 1st group of about 50 that they’ll be relocated, and we expect to hear soon from our UK partners when they’ll arrive, likely in the next few weeks.https://t.co/gfAENCVrj6
— Alain Mukuralinda (@a_mukuralinda) May 19, 2022
While exact numbers of people to be relocated have not yet been clarified, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Rwanda has the “capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people.” The initial plan to send people to Rwanda has cost the UK around US$158 million.
Biruta arrived in London on Wednesday for a meeting with Patel as they vowed to push ahead with the relocation plans.
A large focus on this agreement’s implementation will be on the English Channel, as each year, thousands of illegal immigrants use small boats, or dinghies, to cross the Channel from France to the UK; 28,526 individuals made the journey in 2021. Close to 9,000 have made the journey this year as well. In fact, between Saturday and Tuesday, 907 migrants reached the UK’s shores from France.