Rwanda on Wednesday expressed its disagreement with the UK Supreme Court’s decision to overturn London’s proposal to relocate migrants to the East African nation. The court’s ruling was based on the assertion that Rwanda wasn’t deemed a safe destination for asylum seekers.
A five-judge panel dismissed the contentious policy, affirming a prior court ruling that the act of sending undocumented migrants to Rwanda was illegal. The decision emphasized that such actions jeopardized the rights of asylum seekers as guaranteed by international law, exposing them to significant risks.
“This is ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system,” Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo said in a statement to media.
“However, we do take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees, in terms of refoulement,” Makolo said.
She mentioned that Rwanda remains dedicated to fulfilling its international obligations and highlighted that the UN refugee agency and other entities have acknowledged Rwanda’s commendable treatment of refugees as exemplary.
“We take our humanitarian responsibilities seriously, and will continue to live up to them,” she added.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government contended that the scheme was vital in curbing “illegal” migration across the Channel and had lodged an appeal against the lower court’s decision.