LONDON: The UK government is deliberating on a scheme aimed at facilitating the voluntary relocation of rejected asylum seekers to Rwanda, with reports indicating that migrants could receive payments of up to £3,000 ($3,800) to incentivize their move.
This proposed initiative, an extension of existing voluntary returns arrangements, emerges as the government faces hurdles in implementing contentious proposals to deport migrants to the East African nation.
Originally introduced in 2022 with the intention of dissuading the influx of tens of thousands of migrants arriving annually on small boats from mainland Europe, the deportation scheme has encountered setbacks due to legal challenges.
In response to a UK Supreme Court ruling deeming the deportation of asylum seekers to Kigali illegal under international law, the government is striving to enact legislation compelling judges to recognize Rwanda as a safe third country. Additionally, a new treaty with Rwanda has been negotiated to address these concerns.
Recent developments also include a new agreement allowing Rwanda to receive persons whose asylum applications in Britain have been denied, as reported by The Times.
Migrants Relocation to Rwanda
Under this arrangement, rejected asylum seekers could potentially receive financial assistance of up to £3,000 through existing voluntary returns schemes if they opt to relocate to Rwanda.
This initiative, if implemented, would mark the first instance of migrants being compensated to depart the UK without returning to their country of origin, according to The Times.
The objective behind this proposal is to address the situation of tens of thousands of migrants who lack authorization to remain in Britain but cannot be repatriated to their home countries.
A statement from the interior ministry affirmed the exploration of voluntary relocations to Rwanda, emphasizing the significance of such schemes in combating illegal migration. Notably, in the past year, 19,000 persons were voluntarily removed from the UK.
Rejected asylum seekers currently face restrictions on legal employment in the UK, but relocation to Rwanda would grant them the opportunity to work legally, along with access to housing and integration programs for a period of five years, in accordance with the 2022 deportation plan.
Rwanda, with a population of approximately 13 million in the Great Lakes region, is reputed for its stability. However, critics accuse President Paul Kagame of governing in an environment of repression, characterized by curtailed dissent and freedom of expression.
