27-12-2022
The Rwanda scheme or Rwanda asylum plan is an immigration strategy initially put up by the British government. This plan calls for relocating individuals who have been identified by the United Kingdom as illegal immigrants or asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement. Those who are granted refuge must stay in Rwanda and are not allowed to leave for the United Kingdom.
Ever since the scheme was revealed, there has been a backlash to it. There have been a lot of humanitarian concerns regarding this policy. Anyhow, after much controversy, the High Court's ruling in the judicial review cases challenging the government's Rwanda policy was finally announced on December 19, 2022.
Seeking asylum in the UK isn't that easy, as is proved by this ruling. As per the ruling, the asylum seekers may be transferred to Rwanda by the Secretary of State for the Home Department and acknowledged as refugees there.
The UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership is the official name of the Rwanda plan, which was initially introduced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. People who are determined by the United Kingdom to be illegal immigrants or asylum seekers will be sent to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement under this immigration policy.
The scheme was approved earlier the first flight was set under it on June 14, 2022. However, the flight was cancelled as a result of a last-minute temporary order issued by the European Court of Human Rights.
Its claimed objectives are to reduce the number of migrants entering the country through the English Channel and end human smuggling while encouraging investment and development in Rwanda. In addition to providing 120 million GBP for Rwanda's services, the United Kingdom will contribute between 20,000 GBP and 30,000 GBP for each immigrant's relocation and short-term housing as part of the programme.
As their requests for asylum are processed, migrants will be temporarily housed in Kigali, the country's capital, after arriving in Rwanda. If successful, immigrants will subsequently be given a permanent residence permit and housing options.
The processing of all claims is anticipated to take no more than three months. Migrants will not be permitted to leave Rwanda and travel back to the UK to apply for asylum.
The Home Office's Rwanda asylum-processing pact is back in action six months following a last-minute interference by the European Court of Human Rights stopped an aircraft transporting seven migrants to Kigali. The programme did not violate human rights rules or the UN Refugee Convention, the court recently decided.
As per Home Secretary Suella Braverman, they are committed to making the policy work. Following the ruling, the Home Office has been given the green signal to move ahead with the Rwanda plan.
There has been massive opposition to the policy within Europe ever since it was introduced. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has termed the policy immoral, mentioning that those fleeing oppression, famine and war need our support, not deportation. Moreover, there are also humanitarian concerns over how the migrants will be treated or the kind of life they will have in Rwanda.
However, that's not the only concern around the Rwanda plan, as it is not meant to sort out problems with the asylum system and can even increase human trafficking.
After the first government flight from Britain to Rwanda in June was cancelled, no asylum applicants have been deported there as of yet. This decision will be appealed, and the outcome can change. But the Home Secretary has made sure that they are prepared for any legal proceedings.
Following the large influx of immigrants into the UK for the past few years, the authorities have decided to put in effect "The Rwanda Scheme". As per this plan, the illegal immigrants in the UK will be deported to Rwanda to seek asylum there.
After so much controversy since mid-2022, the UK High Court has recently ruled it lawful. There have been a lot of concerns regarding human rights if this scheme is practised.
Removal to Rwanda is designed to dissuade people from attempting hazardous travels to the UK to claim asylum, which criminal smugglers sponsor after they have already travelled via safe third countries.
Around 130,000 migrants from East Africa have recently sought asylum in Rwanda, primarily from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.
Rwanda has received 120 million GBP in development aid from the UK. Additionally, it will cover each moved person's processing and integration costs.
Join us for latest Visa & Immigration trends. Read & Publish articles. Get exclusive updates & newslatter absolutely FREE
