Is it right to send migrants to Rwanda? The British government’s plan to deport the first plane load today has faced legal challenges – and been branded "appalling" by the Prince of Wales.
Asylum-seekers face a flight to despair
Is it right to send migrants to Rwanda? The British government's plan to deport the first plane load today has faced legal challenges - and been branded "appalling" by the Prince of Wales.
The Iranian asylum-seeker could not believe what was happening. An ex-police commander, he had fled his homeland after refusing to shoot protesters during anti-government demonstrationsThey took place in 2019. Estimates of the number of people killed range from 300 to 1,500.. Then, for over a year, he had lived in hiding in Turkey. Finally he had made his way across Europe and risked his life crossing the Channel in a small boat. And now he was being sent 4,000 miles away - to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994..
The former policeman was one of 11 asylum-seekers scheduled to fly to KigaliRwanda's capital since the country became independent from Belgium in 1962. today - the first group to be deported under a new government scheme. Lawyers managed to have a further 26 removed from the list. But on Friday, the High Court refused to grant an injunctionA court order which compels someone to do or not do something. against the government's policy.
Yesterday an appeal was made against that decision, offering the refugees a last desperate hope. But as the day came to a close, it was clear that the decision would not be overturned. The flight would go ahead.
The scheme was announced in April. Once the deportees reach Rwanda, the local authorities are responsible for processing their claims to asylum. If successful, they will be allowed to remain in the country and make a new life there.
The British government claims that the scheme will undermine the business of smuggling illegal immigrants into the country. The argument is that few people will risk crossing the Channel if they know they are likely to end up in Africa instead. People traffickers will then give up for lack of customers.
So far this year, more than 10,000 people have arrived in the UK on small boats. At this rate the total figure for 2022 will be much higher than for 2021 (28,526) and 2020 (8,404). Migration is a key issueA new opinion poll shows that 72% of Britons think the government is handling immigration badly. for many of the government's supporters, particularly those who voted to leave the EU.
Boris Johnson claims that the new policy will save lives, since many refugees have drowned trying to cross the sea. "Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not. We can't ask the British taxpayer to write a blank cheque to cover the costs of anyone who might want to come and live here."
But the Refugee CouncilA British-based charity which helps asylum-seekers. has denounced the scheme as "cruel and nasty" and says that it will do little to deter migrants. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "The principle must stand the judgment of God, and it cannot."
Yesterday, the Prince of Wales was reported to have called it "appalling" in private conversations. He is apparently worried that it could overshadow this month's Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, where he will represent the Queen.
The UK is not the first country to take this approach. Israel has given asylum-seekers a choice between indefinite detention or being sent to Rwanda. But those who chose the Rwanda option complain of being badly treated by the authorities and given no chance of a "new life".
Rwanda is seen by some as an exemplary, go-ahead African state. But others complain that it is a dictatorship with a poor human-rights record.
Is it right to send migrants to Rwanda?
Yes: Britain is doing refugees a favour by deterring people traffickers. What asylum-seekers want is protection from war and persecution. They will get that in Rwanda just as much as in the UK.
No: Nobody risks crossing the Channel in a small boat unless they are desperate. These are people who have suffered appallingly: sending them to an inhospitable country will only add to their distress.
Or... This is a complex issue. In the short term, it could offer migrants a better life - but in the long term, it cannot be solved by simply passing people on to another country to deal with.
Keywords
Anti-government demonstrations - They took place in 2019. Estimates of the number of people killed range from 300 to 1,500.
Rwanda - A country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994.
Kigali - Rwanda's capital since the country became independent from Belgium in 1962.
Injunction - A court order which compels someone to do or not do something.
Key issue - A new opinion poll shows that 72% of Britons think the government is handling immigration badly.
Refugee Council - A British-based charity which helps asylum-seekers.
Asylum-seekers face a flight to despair
Glossary
Anti-government demonstrations - They took place in 2019. Estimates of the number of people killed range from 300 to 1,500.
Rwanda - A country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994.
Kigali - Rwanda’s capital since the country became independent from Belgium in 1962.
Injunction - A court order which compels someone to do or not do something.
Key issue - A new opinion poll shows that 72% of Britons think the government is handling immigration badly.
Refugee Council - A British-based charity which helps asylum-seekers.