‘Rwanda deportation flights in 10-12 weeks’

  • April 23, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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‘Rwanda deportation flights in 10-12 weeks’

Subject: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

  • UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the controversial Rwanda deportation legislation would be pushed through a parliamentary vote, promising that deportation flights for asylum seekers to Rwanda would start within 10-12 weeks.

Details:

  • Nearly 5,000 asylum seekers arrived in the UK via the English Channel in the first quarter of the year, with most coming from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
  • The policy, initially introduced by the Boris Johnson government, faced legal issues, including a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights and a UK Supreme Court decision deeming it unlawful. The revised bill now states that Rwanda is a safe country for deportations.
  • Sunak emphasized the role of people smuggling gangs, particularly targeting vulnerable Vietnamese migrants, who have seen a significant increase in numbers.

Migrant crisis in the U.K.

  • The immigrant crisis in the UK has intensified since 2018 with an increase in refugees and asylum seekers from regions like Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, and Iraq undertaking perilous journeys from Calais (France) to Dover (the UK).
  • The UK government has adopted strict measures against illegal immigration, exemplified by the Nationality and Borders Bill, 2021. This bill, still under review, could enable the government to revoke citizenship without notification under special conditions.
  • Additionally, the controversial Rwanda deal aims to deter illegal immigration by relocating migrants to Rwanda, illustrating a hardline approach to controlling immigration.

Rwanda deal:

  • The Rwanda Deal, formally known as the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership, is a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the UK and Rwanda.
  • Under this agreement, Rwanda agrees to accept asylum seekers who arrived in the UK illegally on or after January 1, 2022.
  • These asylum seekers will be held in Rwanda while their asylum and resettlement petitions are processed by the Rwandan government.
  • Rwanda commits to accommodating those who are not minors and do not have a criminal record.
  • Rationale behind the deal:
    • The Rwanda Deal is designed to deter “people smugglers” by preventing them from exploiting vulnerable migrants with high fees for dangerous boat journeys from France to England, which frequently result in mass drownings. 
    • The UK government argues that this approach is humane and focuses on disrupting the criminal networks behind these illegal crossings.

How much will it cost to the U.K.?

  • The Rwanda Deal involves the UK paying Rwanda £120 million for an “economic transformation and integration fund” and covering additional operational costs, including an unspecified amount per migrant.
  • Presently, the UK spends £4.7 million daily to house around 25,000 asylum seekers,totaling£430 million annually in 2021 with an expected increase of £100 million in 2022.
  • The deal aims to reduce these expenses by outsourcing the accommodation of migrants to Rwanda.

Do any other countries send asylum seekers overseas?

  • Several countries, including Australia, Israel, and Denmark, have policies of sending asylum seekers overseas.
  • Australia has utilized offshore detention centers since 2001. 
  • Israel addressed an influx of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from Sudan and Eritrea by making agreements with third countries.
  • Those rejected for asylum in Israel were offered either repatriation, $3,500, and a plane ticket to a third country, or faced arrest if they remained in Israel.

Source: TH

IR Rwanda deportation flights in 10-12 weeks