UK’s New Migration Partnership With Rwanda Contradicts Refugee Convention – UNCHR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has stated that the United Kingdom government’s decision to be sending illegal migrants to Rwanda, contradicts “the letter and spirit of the Refugee Convention.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced that the country has struck a New deal for Migration and Economic Partnership with Rwanda.

The UK PM said the partnership is meant to disrupt the business model of the gangs who specialize in ferrying people illegally to the country through sea channels.

He said migrants who illegally entered the country from January 1, 2022 and those that will enter subsequently, will be relocated to Rwanda.

“This innovative approach, driven by our shared humanitarian impulse made possible by Brexit freedoms, will provide safe and legal route for asylum while disrupting the business model of the gangs.

“We believe it will become a new international standard in addressing the challenges of global migration and people smuggling.”

The PM said the measure will enable the country prosecute people who enter the country illegally and sentence to life imprisonment, those who pilot the ships carrying the illegal migrants.

He ordered the British Royal Navy to take over operational command from Border Force in the channel and operate in line with international standards to ensure no boat enters undetected.

Reacting to the UK PM’s pronouncement, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs in a statement said both countries (UK and Rwanda) should review the plan.
Triggs pointed out that there are people deserve empathy and not to be traded like common commodities by way of relocation.

“People fleeing war, conflict and persecution deserve compassion and empathy. They should not be traded like commodities and transferred abroad for processing,” Triggs stated.

The UN legislation about status of refugees provides that they should be received and granted either economic or political asylum and not to be returned to home country where they would face mistreatment either political persecution or life threatening conflicts.

The UNCHR averred that the new migration partnership between the two countries has not only contradicted the principle of refugee status as enshrined in the Refugee Convention, but shifted asylum responsibilities and also exposes migrants to risks.

Triggs said, “Those who are determined to be refugees can be integrated, while those who are not and have no other legal basis to stay, can be returned in safety and dignity to their country of origin.”