UK PLANS TO SEND ASYLUM SEEKERS TO RWANDA. IN HARDENING OF MIGRATION POLICY
0UK plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. in hardening of migration policy
Britain could send tens of thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda to be resettled. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. The remarks set out a tougher approach to break people smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel. Concerns over immigration were a big factor in the 2016 Brexit vote. and Mr Johnson has been under pressure to deliver on his promise to 'take back control' of Britain's borders. but his plan drew swift criticism from the opposition and charities. 'We must ensure that the only route to asylum in the UK is a safe and legal one.' Mr Johnson said. 'Those who try to jump the queue or abuse our systems will find no automatic path to set them up in our country. but rather be swiftly and humanely removed to a safe third country or their country of origin. He was giving a speech in Kent. south east England. where thousands of migrants in small boats landed on Channel beaches last year. Anyone who has arrived in Britain illegally since January 1 could now be relocated to Rwanda. in East Africa. which would disrupt the business model of people smuggling gangs. 'The deal we have done is uncapped and Rwanda will have the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people in the years ahead.' he said. The plan drew strong criticism from opposition parties. with interior minister Priti Patel's Labour Party counterpart. Yvette Cooper. saying it was costly. 'unworkable and unethical'. Concerns were also raised about Rwanda's human rights record. which the British government itself noted last year. Mr Johnson said Rwanda was 'one of the safest countries in the world'. adding however that the risk of ending up in the country would prove a 'considerable deterrent' over time. Ms Patel signed the partnership agreement in Kigali on Thursday. and presented it at a joint news conference with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta. Mr Biruta said Rwanda's recent history had given it 'a deep connection to the plight of those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land'. Rwanda has already accepted almost 130.000 refugees from numerous countries. including Democratic Republic of Congo. Burundi. Afghanistan and Libya. Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire said the country was hospitable but it should first solve its internal problems. Mr Johnson said the plan would face legal challenges. but said the partnership was 'fully compliant' with international legal obligations. The government would contribute an initial 120 million pounds. A government minister said the plan was focused on single young men. 'This is about male economic migrants in the main.' Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart told Sky News. 'There is a different set of issues with women and children.' Opposition MPs said Mr Johnson was trying to distract from the renewed calls on him to resign after being fined by police on Tuesday for attending a gathering for his birthday in June 2020 when social mixing was all but banned under COVID 19 rules his government had introduced. The new approach will see the Royal Navy take over operational command from Border Force in the Channel. he said. and Greek style accommodation centres would open in Britain. The head of a refugee advocacy group said the plan violated the principle of granting asylum seekers a fair hearing on British soil. 'I think it's rather extraordinary that the government is obsessing with control instead of focusing on competence and compassion.' Enver Solomon. chief executive of the Refugee Council. told BBC radio. Reuters
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