Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – The British government is currently seeking a means of transportation to facilitate the transfer of migrants arriving via boat. A new video titled “Explained in 30 seconds: The UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership”, was released by the home office twitter page. The video consists of a Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo who states that the program is about investing in people, while protecting and making certain the wellbeing of both locals in Rwanda and migrants.
Rwanda is presently hosting over one hundred thousand refugees from many neighboring African countries. Many opponents and refugee groups opposed to the Rwanda plan are stating that Rwanda was not suitable for refugees, however the High Court in London recently ruled that the plan to relocate illegal migrants arriving Britain from boats was not in violation of legal obligations under domestic legislation and the United Nations Refugee Convention.
The British government faced stumbling blocks in transportation means to relocate the illegal migrants to Rwanda as certain campaigners have pressured airlines not to fly the migrants to Rwanda claiming conditions there are unsuitable. The proponents of the plan, however, have indicated that the conditions are suitable as the country is already hosting refugees. Proponents have also indicated that the plan will deter economic migrants who pose as refugees and are seeking a better life in the UK, as those genuinely seeking asylum simply need a safe space to reside in irrespective of whether it is the UK or Rwanda.
UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman stated that they continued discussions with airlines in regards to the flights to Rwanda.
“We are returning people almost every week to various countries around the world. We do that through scheduled flights, we charter flights… so we’re in a variety of discussions with several airlines for lots of different destinations,” she said.
Over 45,000 migrants have crossed the channel this year, putting further pressure on the British government to find a solution.
