Rwanda hits back at criticism of migrant scheme
Criticisms of my country are outdated – we are a dynamic member of the international community
RWANDA’S high commissioner today attacks critics of the Government’s plan to deport Channel migrants to his country, insisting they will be treated with “safety, dignity and respect”.
In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Johnston Busingye insisted Rwanda would be a “safe haven” after Prince Charles reportedly branded the plan “appalling” and charities and unions launched a legal fight to block the first flights tomorrow.
Mr Busingye was “disappointed” that critics had questioned Rwanda’s motives for agreeing the scheme and doubted its ability to provide a safe haven. It emerged last night that fewer than 10 migrants are expected on the first flight even if the Government sees off two attempts today to block it.
Two charities and the union representing Border Force staff were granted leave to challenge the rejection of their injunction in the Court of Appeal, while Asylum Aid will mount a fresh High Court bid to stop the flight.
There have also been individual legal challenges which have resulted in at least 100 migrants being removed from the flight after claiming it would breach their human rights or that they were victims of modern slavery. The appeals had whittled down the number on the flight to 31 by Friday and last night a Government source confirmed it was expected to fall to “single figures” today.
Government sources pledged the plane would take off, saying: “It will go, even if there is just one person left on it, because we have already paid for it.”
Mr Busingye maintained Rwanda was “the right choice of partner” for the “innovative” deal with the UK, under which it will receive £120million to accept asylum seekers from Britain.
“Disappointingly much of the discussion has either questioned our motives for entering the partnership or doubted our ability to provide safe haven to those in need – as was the case in Friday’s legal proceedings,” he said. He challenged claims by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, that Rwanda failed to meet the standards of “legality and appropriateness” for accepting asylum seekers. In a last-minute intervention, the UNHCR backed the injunction plea in the High Court on Friday.
Mr Busingye said Rwanda had provided safe haven to more than 130,000 refugees, including Afghans fleeing the Taliban, helped the UNHCR evacuate Libya and was rated by the UN as the fastest-improving in its index for good governance and human development.
“There’s no doubt that we are a work in progress, every country is, but the Rwanda of today is unrecognisable from the country the world was introduced to in 1994,” he said. In rejecting the calls for an injunction on Friday, Mr Justice Swift said there was no evidence that asylum seekers removed to Rwanda would suffer inhumane or illtreatment or persecution.
Mr Busingye said the judge “was right to say that that some of the risks of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda outlined by the claimants were very small and “in the realms of speculation”.
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, will this week launch an advertising campaign to warn migrants they could be sent to Rwanda.
As a recent arrival in the UK, I have been interested to hear what people were saying about my country following the announcement of the Uk-rwanda migration partnership.
Disappointingly, much of the discussion has either questioned our motives for entering the partnership or doubted our ability to provide safe haven to those in need – as was the case in Friday’s legal proceedings brought by those who wish to see the partnership fail.
As the new High Commissioner to the UK, it’s my duty to give a voice to the Rwandan people and explain why our country is exactly the right choice of partner for this innovative initiative.
Because of our history, Rwanda has a deep connection to those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land. We are one of the most welcoming nations in the world, supporting those in need no matter where they come from. Rwanda provides refuge to over 130,000 refugees from neighbouring countries, and also hosts many who fled Afghanistan following the fall of the country to the Taliban, including an entire girls’ boarding school.
Much of this work is carried out in partnership with international organisations. Rwanda joined with the UNHCR to evacuate migrants from Libya, and as a signatory to the Kampala Convention, we work with the African Union to support displaced peoples across the continent.
These projects stand as a testament to the progress we have made as a country over the past three decades.
Rwanda’s story since the genocide against the Tutsi is one of humanitarian intervention – Rwanda is consistently one of the top contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Partnering with the UK to address a global issue involving human beings in peril is in keeping with our record.
When migrants arrive in Rwanda, they will find safety and security, and be treated with dignity and respect. We will facilitate their asylum claim and house them in suitable temporary accommodation while their claim is processed. Throughout this time, they will be free to come and go as they please and the Rwandan authorities will look after their needs. Whether their claim is approved or rejected, these migrants will be offered a legal pathway to stay in Rwanda. They will have the right to work and access services, and we will do all we can to support them to integrate into Rwandan society.
Alternatively, they are free to return to their country of origin, or to another country of their choice that will accept them. The migrants are under no obligation to remain in Rwanda. But we hope they will choose to do so, joining the many thousands of others already building new lives and contributing to the continued development of our country.
According to the United Nations, between 1990 and 2017, Rwanda’s Human Development Index value (which measures good governance, economic growth and human development) more than doubled, the highest average growth in the world. We are secure and stable, ranked one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. Our economy has grown consistently, allowing us to significantly reduce poverty and create opportunities for our people.
Gender empowerment, too, has been at the heart of our growth and development – we currently have the highest rate of women in parliament in the world and a proud record of women leading in the public and private sectors.
So for those who doubt Rwanda’s motivations or our capabilities, I would say this: our motivation to enter into this partnership is shaped by our historical experience. And our ability to deliver on our commitments to those who come here is demonstrated by our record of already providing shelter and opportunity to those in need.
Mr Justice Swift was right to say that some of the risks of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda outlined by the claimants in Friday’s court hearing were very small and “in the realms of speculation” when ruling that the partnership could go ahead as planned.
We know we can, and will, provide safety and opportunity to those who come to us, and we hope that through this partnership, the UK and the wider world will better know the true story of Rwanda.