The UK government, under the leadership of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, has reaffirmed its commitment to commence deportation flights to Rwanda before the next general election. This pledge comes amidst a visit by Home Secretary James Cleverly to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, to sign a treaty crucial to the plan’s realization.
Jenrick, expressing determination and a sense of urgency, remarked that the government “must ensure the Rwanda policy succeeds before the next general election. No ifs, no buts, we will do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.” This statement follows Suella Braverman‘s recent departure from the role of Home Secretary. Jenrick acknowledged, however, that the government faces significant challenges, especially if the Rwanda deportation plans are deemed unlawful.
British Home Secretary James Cleverly shakes hands with the British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair, as he arrives at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, where he will sign a new treaty with Rwanda. December 5, 2023. Ben Birchall/Pool via REUTERS
The Rwanda plan, central to the UK’s strategy to curtail migration, was previously challenged when the UK Supreme Court ruled that such a move could violate international human rights laws. Despite this, the UK has been actively renegotiating its agreement with Rwanda to include a binding treaty, ensuring that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda will not be expelled. Cleverly, who arrived in Kigali to finalize the treaty, emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to refugees’ rights and the shared goal of addressing illegal migration.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing intense pressure to reduce net migration, which reached a record 745,000 last year. The government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is part of a broader five-goal strategy set by Sunak to manage migration, particularly targeting those who cross the Channel in small, often unsafe boats. This policy, initially announced in April 2022, was stalled in the courts, with the first planned flight to Rwanda in June 2022 being grounded minutes before take-off due to a European Court of Human Rights ruling.
The UK government is also considering legislative changes to strengthen its position. Jenrick has not ruled out the possibility of the UK exiting the European Convention on Human Rights if the Supreme Court challenge to the Rwanda plan fails. This stance illustrates the government’s commitment to implementing its migration policies, even in the face of significant legal and ethical challenges.
