Nr. 444 | 12.12.2023

Another attempt by the UK to implement its controversial asylum proposal

Last week, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly visited Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to sign a new refugee agreement between the two countries. A few weeks ago, Rishi Sunak's bid to send all asylum seekers to Rwanda was blocked by the Supreme Court due to the country's authoritarian government and lack of rule of law. The deal includes a concession from Rwanda that it will not deport asylum seekers back to their native countries, and that British and Rwandan judges will jointly decide on cases of possible deportation.

This is another chapter in Europe's first country that attempts to outsource its asylum process, closely observed by others. If Rishi Sunak and his cabinet succeed in their mission to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda before the next UK election, it could have far-reaching consequences for European (and global) asylum practices. With the number of asylum seekers in the EU expected to rise dramatically over the next few decades, the outcome could set a precedent for a radical change in asylum practices, which are currently heavily criticised by humanitarian organisations, EU diplomats and business representatives alike.

 

Samuel Eicher

Explore further:

• James Cleverly travels to Kigali to sign new treaty with Rwanda, The Guardian
• Abkommen: London verschärft Zuwanderungsrecht, Zeit
• Le Royaume-Uni signe un nouveau traité avec le Rwanda pour durcir sa politique migratoire, Le Monde