Is deporting asylum seekers immoral? The supreme court has ruled that Britain’s asylum deal with Rwanda is unlawful. Some are horrified that the plan has got even this far.
X
Next
UK defies court to send migrants to Rwanda
Is deporting asylum seekers immoral? The supreme court has ruled that Britain's asylum deal with Rwanda is unlawful. Some are horrified that the plan has got even this far.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
The plane was due to fly in June 2022. More than a year later, it has still not taken off. Back then, just minutes before the aeroplane was preparing to take a first group of asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. from the UK to East Africa, the flight was cancelled.
A year and a half later, the UK governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. has still not managed to fly any asylum seekers to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994..
The Rwanda policy has a history of legal challenges. It was ruled lawful by one court, then unlawful by another. The second court said that asylum seekers could be returned by Rwanda to the countries they had fled from.
But the Supreme CourtThe highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.'s judgment could be the end of the Rwanda plan. It suggests that the Rwanda police could go against five UK laws, plus four worldwide agreements on the treatment of refugeesAnyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from..
However, the UK's prime minister Rishi Sunak says he still wants to go through with the plan, and he will make new laws to make it happen.
Find out more
Supporters say the Rwanda plan is popular with the British people. The idea is that even if only a small number of people are sent to Rwanda, it would put off others from trying to travel to the UK. But a recent survey found that just one in 10 think it is a good idea.
As much as £120 million has already been paid to Rwanda. Some say it would be better spent on plans to house people in the UK.
Yes! The policy is wrong. People who are sent to Rwanda might end up being sent back to the countries they travelled from - places where they were in danger.
No! It is not the UK's responsibilityWhen you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone. to take in hundreds of people every day. The plan may not be a perfect one, but many think it is needed.
X
Previous
Is deportingForcing someone to leave a country. asylum seekers immoral?
Keywords
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Rwanda - A country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994.
Supreme Court - The highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Deporting - Forcing someone to leave a country.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.
UK defies court to send migrants to Rwanda
Displaced: Asylum seekers from Libya have reached the Gashora Transit Centre in Rwanda. Glossary
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Rwanda - A country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994.
Supreme Court - The highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Deporting - Forcing someone to leave a country.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.