British Interior Minister, James Cleverly arrives Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, on Tuesday to meet with the country’s Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta, with the aim of signing a new treaty.
This diplomatic move comes after Britain faced legal challenges regarding its intended policy to send tens of thousands of asylum seekers, who arrived without permission, to Rwanda as part of efforts to deter migrants crossing the Channel from Europe in small boats.
Initially, the plan had garnered attention as other nations contemplated similar strategies to address the ongoing migrant crisis. However, the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court recently ruled that such flights to Rwanda would violate international human rights laws embedded in domestic legislation.
The court’s decision prompted Britain to enter into renegotiations with Rwanda, seeking to address the concerns raised by the court and secure a binding treaty.
The revised agreement aims to ensure that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda by Britain will not face expulsion, addressing one of the major legal concerns raised by the UK Supreme Court. The outcome of this diplomatic effort will be closely observed, given its potential impact on similar policies contemplated by other countries.
The signing of the new treaty reflects ongoing international collaboration and diplomacy in the face of complex challenges related to migration and asylum, highlighting the importance of legal frameworks that respect human rights and international laws.
