KIGALI (CU)_A couple of weeks ago, the United Kingdom and Rwanda made headlines, announcing plans to send migrants arriving in the European nation some 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) away to Rwanda. Their asylum claims will be processed by Rwandan authorities and London will contribute up to £120 million ($157 million) towards the agreement. While Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the deal would disrupt the business model of people smugglers, thereby saving “countless lives” from human trafficking, many disagree.
Archbishop Justin Welby, the most senior cleric in the Church of England, was among those who expressed concerns over the plan. While he acknowledged the details of the agreement remained with politicians, yet pointed to ethical concerns linked to the relocation of asylum-seekers to another country. “A country like Britain informed by Christian values cannot sub-contract out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda,” the Archbishop told congregants during a Sunday service. Rights groups and refugee organisations have also criticised the deal which they called an “inhumane”, “neo-colonial” plan.
Home Secretary Priti Patel last week, hit back at those critics saying they have failed to offer any alternative solution to the migration crisis. Rwandan President Paul Kagame joined the British Home Secretary in defending the controversial asylum pact in his comments during a seminar organised by Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Rwandan leader pointed to a previous agreement with Libya, under which Kigali assisted the fellow African nation in processing asylum claims of hundreds of Libyans in Rwanda before they are taken to Canada or certain European countries. He also rejected claims that Kigali was trading human beings adding that “we are actually helping”.
Speaking of the Libyans who are being processed in Rwanda, President Kagame said: “…they were sorting them out and it took time some are still waiting they are waiting list… at least they are here still alive they are here being looked after decently.”
“[…] it would be mistaken for people to just make a conclusion oh you know Rwanda got money,” he added. “It’s not trading. We are not trading human beings…we are actually helping and I’ve given you the background of where this comes from and so UK naturally is going to provide resources to actually give some decent living to these people who will be here as they are processed…”
