UN Experts Applaud UK Govt's Decision to Scrap Rwanda Asylum Transfer Plan

Looking forward, the experts expressed interest in learning about new measures and reforms in migration and asylum governance that the UK Government may undertake following this decision.

The decision by the newly elected UK Government to scrap the policy of transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing has been welcomed by independent human rights experts. They have expressed encouragement over the UK's commitment to resume state responsibility for receiving and assessing individual asylum applications within its borders.

The experts emphasized that this decision marks an important step towards upholding the right to asylum and protecting the human rights of migrants and refugees seeking protection in the UK, regardless of how they arrive.

Background on the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership reveals that it was initially announced in 2022 as part of a Migration and Economic Development Partnership between the UK and Rwanda. However, legal challenges arose, culminating in a UK Supreme Court ruling in November 2023 that deemed the partnership unlawful due to concerns over Rwanda's past practices related to refoulement (the forced return of refugees to a country where they are likely to face persecution).

Following the court ruling, the UK and Rwanda subsequently signed the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership Treaty in December 2023, which was ratified by the UK Parliament in April 2024. This treaty aimed to designate Rwanda as a safe third country for asylum seekers, supported by the passage of the Safety of Rwanda Bill into UK law in April 2024, mandating decision-makers to treat Rwanda as safe.

Throughout this process, UNHCR, OHCHR, and various UN human rights mechanisms consistently raised concerns that the UK-Rwanda asylum arrangement did not align with international human rights and refugee law obligations.

In response to the UK Government's decision to abandon the Rwanda asylum policy, the experts praised it as a courageous move that prevents externalizing the UK's asylum obligations and mitigates significant human rights risks for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. They reiterated their call for the UK Government to ensure that future border governance measures adhere fully to international human rights and refugee law standards.

Looking forward, the experts expressed interest in learning about new measures and reforms in migration and asylum governance that the UK Government may undertake following this decision.

Overall, the abandonment of the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership represents a significant shift in UK asylum policy and underscores ongoing international scrutiny and adherence to human rights standards in migration governance.