What's behind the UK's deportation deal with Rwanda? | DW News

DW News

18 Jun 202206:21

Summary

TLDRThe UK government plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, despite widespread criticism and a European Court intervention halting the first deportation. The UK aims to deter unauthorized migration, offering Rwanda $150 million in return. Rwanda promises up to five years of support for migrants, but critics question its human rights record. Some view the deal as a political strategy for Rwanda to improve relations with the West. Rwanda has hosted refugees before, but concerns remain about its suitability for asylum seekers from the UK.

Takeaways

🇬🇧 The British government insists on continuing its plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda despite widespread criticism.
🛑 The UK aims to prevent migrants from arriving through unauthorized routes by threatening them with deportation to Rwanda.
💰 Rwanda is receiving $150 million from the UK and is promoting itself as a hospitable haven for the asylum seekers.
🎓 Asylum seekers in Rwanda are offered up to five years of stay with access to education and support services.
⚖️ Human rights groups criticize the UK for evading its responsibility to protect asylum seekers, sending them to a country with a questionable human rights record.
🛬 The first deportation was halted by a European Court of Human Rights injunction, preventing a flight carrying seven asylum seekers from departing to Rwanda.
🇷🇼 Some critics within Rwanda argue that the country does not respect human rights and question the deal with the UK.
👤 Peter Naoni, a South Sudanese refugee in Rwanda, expresses concerns for asylum seekers being sent from the UK, saying they may face similar conditions as in their home countries.
🏢 Rwanda has prepared hostels in Kigali for the incoming asylum seekers, with some questioning whether they will feel secure there.
🤝 Rwanda is framing the deal as a humanitarian effort, while others view it as a political move to bolster its image and strengthen ties with Western governments.

Q & A

What is the British government's plan regarding asylum seekers?
-The British government plans to send unwanted asylum seekers to Rwanda as part of an agreement aimed at preventing migrants from arriving in the UK through unauthorized routes.
What does Rwanda gain from the deal with the UK?
-Rwanda receives $150 million and the opportunity to promote itself as a hospitable haven for asylum seekers. The deal is also framed as a humanitarian gesture due to Rwanda's history of dealing with refugees.
What criticism has the UK faced regarding this asylum seeker deal?
-Human rights groups criticize the UK for shirking its responsibility to protect asylum seekers by sending them to a country with a questionable human rights record, like Rwanda.
Why was the first deportation flight to Rwanda delayed?
-The European Court of Human Rights issued an injunction at the last minute, preventing the first deportation flight from taking off.
What are some criticisms from within Rwanda regarding this deal?
-Critics in Rwanda argue that asylum seekers might face the same issues they fled from, as Rwanda itself does not have a strong human rights record or democratic governance.
What is Rwanda offering to asylum seekers deported from the UK?
-Rwanda offers asylum seekers up to five years of stay, access to education, support, and integration programs that help them find jobs. Those who wish to stay can also apply for citizenship.
What are some concerns expressed by refugees currently in Rwanda?
-Some refugees, like Peter Naoni from South Sudan, express dissatisfaction with Rwanda as a long-term option. They prefer to move to other countries like Europe or Canada.
How is the UK government preparing for future deportation flights?
-Despite the setback with the first flight, the UK government, including the Home Secretary, confirmed that preparations for future flights are already underway.
What is the UK's justification for deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda?
-The UK government argues that deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda will deter illegal migration through unauthorized routes and reduce the burden on its asylum system.
What is the broader significance of this asylum deal between the UK and Rwanda?
-The deal is significant because it sets a controversial precedent where a wealthy nation outsources its asylum responsibilities to a country with a weaker human rights record, raising concerns about global responsibility-sharing in asylum cases.

Outlines

00:00

🛑 UK Government's Controversial Plan to Send Migrants to Rwanda

The British government is pressing ahead with its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda despite facing significant criticism. The aim is to deter migrants from entering the UK through unauthorized routes by threatening deportation to Rwanda. In return, Rwanda receives $150 million and promises to provide up to five years of asylum with access to education and support. However, human rights organizations argue that the UK is shirking its responsibility by sending vulnerable people to a nation with a questionable human rights record.

05:00

✈️ European Court Blocks First Deportation Flight

The first scheduled deportation flight to Rwanda, set to take place on Tuesday, was halted by a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights. The flight, which was to carry seven asylum seekers, never departed, but the UK government remains undeterred. The Home Secretary has confirmed that preparations for future flights are continuing. Criticism of the plan comes not only from abroad but also from within Rwanda, with some voicing concerns about the country’s ability to provide adequate conditions for refugees.

😟 Criticism from Rwandan Refugees and Local Voices

Critics within Rwanda have expressed concern about the agreement, arguing that deported migrants may face the same challenges they fled in their home countries, such as a lack of democracy and human rights. Rwanda already shelters over 100,000 refugees, many of whom share mixed opinions about the country. A South Sudanese refugee, Peter Naoni, feels sympathetic towards those deported from the UK, as they will have to seek asylum in Rwanda, a country where he feels conditions are difficult.

🏨 Rwanda Prepares to Receive UK Migrants

A Kigali hostel has been prepared to house migrants arriving under the UK-Rwanda deal, although its strict security measures may raise concerns among the new arrivals. Rwandan officials claim the arrangement is for humanitarian reasons, citing Rwanda’s history of hosting refugees. However, critics view it as a political move by the Rwandan government to strengthen its ties with the UK and enhance its international image.

📰 Rwanda's Experience with Refugees

Rwanda has experience hosting refugees, with over 130,000 people from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The country has also taken in refugees from Afghanistan and Israel. However, some refugees have left Rwanda, citing difficult living conditions. Questions remain about how new asylum seekers from the UK will adapt to these circumstances, especially given past complaints from migrants about the quality of life in Rwanda.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Asylum seekers

Asylum seekers are individuals who flee their home countries due to persecution, war, or violence, seeking protection in another country. In the video, the British government plans to send asylum seekers arriving through unauthorized routes to Rwanda, sparking controversy about the UK's responsibility to protect these vulnerable individuals.

💡Rwanda

Rwanda is a country in East Africa that has been selected by the UK as the destination for asylum seekers deported from Britain. Rwanda has agreed to this in exchange for financial compensation, positioning itself as a hospitable destination, though the arrangement is criticized due to Rwanda's human rights record.

💡UK government

The UK government, in the video, is shown to be steadfast in its plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda despite criticism from human rights groups. The government argues that this plan will deter migrants from attempting dangerous crossings to the UK through unauthorized routes.

💡European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights is a judicial body that intervened to prevent the first deportation flight from the UK to Rwanda, issuing an injunction. This shows the international legal challenge against the UK's deportation policy and underscores the controversy surrounding the legality of the plan.

💡Human rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. The video highlights concerns from human rights groups about the UK's deportation plan, arguing that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, a country with a questionable human rights record, shirks the UK's duty to protect vulnerable individuals.

💡Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another, often for reasons such as safety or better opportunities. The video discusses the migration of asylum seekers to the UK and the potential for them to be deported to Rwanda, a strategy designed to control unauthorized migration.

💡Humanitarian grounds

Humanitarian grounds refer to actions taken to protect individuals in distress, typically due to persecution or danger in their home countries. Rwanda justifies its acceptance of the deportation deal on humanitarian grounds, citing its own history of refugees and the desire to help others, though this rationale is disputed.

💡Financial compensation

In the context of the video, financial compensation refers to the 120 million pounds the UK is paying to Rwanda as part of the deportation deal. This money is intended for development and managing the asylum seekers' needs, but critics argue that the financial incentive drives Rwanda's involvement in the controversial deal.

💡Kigali

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda, where the asylum seekers deported from the UK are expected to stay. The video mentions preparations for receiving them, including hostels in Kigali, but also suggests skepticism about whether these facilities are adequate and how the migrants will adapt.

💡Deportation

Deportation is the act of forcibly removing someone from one country to another. In the video, the UK is attempting to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, a move seen as controversial due to concerns about Rwanda's capacity to host these migrants and the ethical implications of such deportations.

Highlights

The British government is determined to continue its plan to send unwanted asylum seekers to Rwanda despite widespread criticism.

The UK wants to prevent migrants from coming to its shores through unauthorized routes, threatening potential arrivals with deportation to Rwanda.

Rwanda is receiving $150 million from the UK in exchange for hosting asylum seekers, promoting itself as a hospitable haven.

Rwanda is offering asylum seekers up to five years' stay with access to education and support.

Human rights groups criticize the deal, saying the UK is shirking its responsibility to protect asylum seekers and sending them to a country with a questionable human rights record.

The first deportation flight was halted by a last-minute injunction from the European Court of Human Rights, but the UK government remains committed to future deportations.

Criticism within Rwanda argues that the deportees will face similar conditions to those they fled, with concerns over Rwanda's human rights and democracy.

Rwanda already hosts over 100,000 refugees from other African countries, including South Sudan.

A refugee from South Sudan expressed sympathy for the migrants being deported from the UK, questioning the logic of forcing people to settle in Rwanda.

A hostel in Kigali is prepared to house the first deportees, but tight security measures have raised concerns about the conditions.

Rwanda offers some deportees opportunities to integrate by providing skills training, education, and eventual citizenship.

The UK is paying Rwanda £120 million for development partnerships as part of the deal, with additional money for housing and other expenses.

Rwanda frames the deal as a humanitarian effort, citing its own past as a refugee-hosting nation, though some see it as a political tool to bolster ties with the UK.

Rwanda has hosted refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, but past experiences with migrants from other countries like Israel have been mixed.

Some migrants previously hosted in Rwanda chose to leave due to harsh conditions, casting doubt on whether the UK deportees will fare better.