Flight to take asylum seekers from UK to Rwanda allowed to go ahead, says High Court
The government hopes the scheme will discourage asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel, by making it clear many cases will now be dealt with by Rwanda.While their application is considered by the east African country those affected will be given accommodation and support and, if successful, will be able to remain in Rwanda with up to five years' access to education and support.
Their lawyers raised concerns about shortcomings in the Rwanda asylum system and the possibility that people could be sent on to countries where they would be persecuted - a process known as refoulement. Lawyers for the UNHCR also said it had warned the Home Office twice that its arrangement with Rwanda was unlawful.In his judgement, Mr Justice Swift ruled against a temporary block on the deportation flights before the full hearing on the policy in July.
Mr Justice Swift said part of the case to block the initial flights focused on the argument that Ms Patel's "decision to treat Rwanda as a safe country is either irrational or based on insufficient investigation". He also denied interim relief to two people who face removal on Tuesday, one from Syria and another from Iraq, who are still set to be on the plane to Rwanda.However, the judge granted the campaigners and migrants the right to appeal against his decision and said the Court of Appeal would be able to hear their case on Monday.
"Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees - we will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK deportation flight to Rwanda can go ahead, high court judge rulesJudge refuses to grant interim relief after lawyers for asylum seekers argued policy was unlawful
Read more »
Rwanda flight to remove asylum seekers from UK can go ahead, High Court rulesThe first scheduled flight to Rwanda to remove asylum seekers from the UK can go ahead, the High Court has ruled.
Read more »
First Rwanda flight to go ahead as campaigners lose High Court fightThe first flight could go ahead on Tuesday
Read more »
Rwanda deportation plan: First flight can go ahead, High Court rulesThey will be the first migrants to be sent to the African country to have their asylum claims processed since the government announced the controversial policy in April.
Read more »
Campaigners' High Court bid to block government's 'unlawful' plans to send first asylum seekers to RwandaLawyers for the groups taking the action will argue the policy puts people's lives at risk and is an unlawful way to treat asylum seekers prior to deportation and once sent to Rwanda
Read more »