Rwanda hails UK high court ruling as ‘positive step’, NGOs see deportations as ‘immoral’

While both the British and Rwandan governments welcomed the UK court giving the green light to the deportation of migrants, who have arrived illegally in the United Kingdom, to the central African country, opposition politicians, charities and other organizations in the UK have condemned the plan.

The Rwandan government spokesman Alain Mukuralinda called the ruling a “positive step” towards solving the global migration crisis, and said that “it is also a satisfying decision because we can find new solutions. New ways of doing things because today we have always hidden ourselves from international conventions, international law, to keep the status quo, but today we will evolve and implement distinct solutions, such as trying to solve this deadly migration problem.”

Mukuralinda also defended the decision by the UK High Court because “we see people dying by drowning in the Mediterranean, or victims of human trafficking. The High Court decision shows an evolution in how to solve this problem.” The official added that the local authorities had several months to prepare, “so that if tomorrow a plane arrives, Rwanda is ready to welcome the first migrants.”

Meanwhile, while there was relief on the side of the British government, the disappointment on the side of NGOs and charity organizations was palpable. The High Court of Justice for England and Wales on Monday concluded that the government’s decision to deport to Rwanda people seeking asylum in the UK, was “legal,” as is also the fact that their asylum applications would be examined by the Rwandan authorities and not by the British authorities.

Opposition politicians, charities and other organizations have lined up to condemn the judgement, saying that they were “very disappointed” in the outcome and arguing it will “do nothing” to stop Channel crossings. The two charities who brought the legal action, Care4Calais and Asylum Aid, have both said that they are looking at the possibility of an appeal. If they do launch an appeal, this will head to the Court of Appeal. The case could even go all the way to the Supreme Court if a further appeal is granted.