The British government has begun its controversial plan to relocate migrants to Rwanda in Africa, despite concerns over human rights violations and fears of damaging international cooperation on the global migrant crisis.
The United Kingdom (UK) has commenced its highly debated plan to relocate migrants to Rwanda, a move that has sparked widespread criticism and legal challenges. On Wednesday, the British government carried out its first roundup of illegal migrants for deportation to the African country.
The operation, known as the Safety of Rwanda Act, empowers the government to detain and deport asylum seekers who enter the UK from so-called "safe" countries after January 1, 2022. Last year, the UK Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful, a decision initially accepted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. However, in January, Sunak reversed course, announcing his intention to disregard the court orders.
The government's determination to implement the policy has drawn mixed reactions. Thomas Corbett-Dillon, a political commentator and former adviser to Boris Johnson, expressed support for the move, arguing that the UK has been overwhelmed by illegal immigration. He claimed that the government's actions are necessary to appease public demands for "robust action" on the issue.
However, critics have condemned the policy as cruel and inhumane. The UN refugee agency and the Council of Europe have urged the UK government to reconsider its plans, citing concerns about human rights violations. Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council has called on the government to focus on creating a "fair and controlled asylum system" instead of pursuing "headline-grabbing schemes" that waste time and resources.
Despite the concerns, the government remains committed to operationalizing the policy. British Home Secretary James Cleverly said the government has worked tirelessly to introduce new legislation to deliver the plan. He emphasized that enforcement teams are working swiftly to detain those who have no right to be in the UK and to get flights off the ground.
Prime Minister Sunak expects the first deportation flights to take off within 10 to 12 weeks, with asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda to await the processing of their claims. Sunak anticipates "multiple flights a month throughout the summer and beyond" to keep the asylum seekers moving out of the country.
Rwanda has prepared for two years to receive the migrants, with arrangements in place to accommodate the deported asylum seekers. The Hope Hostel, which previously housed students orphaned by the 1994 genocide, will take in the deportees.
The initiation of the operation has prompted criticism from some quarters, with many calling the Home Office video a "bizarre" and "performatively cruel" celebration of the deportations. However, the government also announced that one asylum seeker has voluntarily accepted a payment of around $3,750 to relocate to Rwanda.
The government's plan remains controversial, with legal challenges likely to continue. The outcome of these challenges could have significant implications for the UK's immigration policies and its international reputation regarding human rights.
