Author: Emma Brand

In a decision on Thursday, June 29, the British Court of appeal declared the government’s controversial plan to deport migrants who arrived illegally in the United Kingdom to Rwanda unlawful. The measure, aimed at deterring illegal immigration, was deemed problematic by the court of appeal, which concluded that Rwanda cannot be considered a safe third country due to the risk of migrants being sent back to their countries of origin where they may face persecution. The British government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, expressed disagreement with the court’s ruling and announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. The Rwandan government has stated that it remains committed to the agreement with the UK despite the court’s decision.  

The plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was announced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with the aim of deterring clandestine crossings of the English Channel. No deportations to Rwanda have taken place yet, as a planned flight in June 2022 was cancelled following a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, which called for a thorough examination of this policy.

The fight against illegal immigration is a priority for the UK government. However, despite promises made during the Brexit campaign to regain control of the borders, an increasing number of migrants have been crossing the English Channel from France. The court of appeal’s decision does not address the political merits of the measure, but rather its compliance with the law.

The court of appeal’s decision represents a setback for the British government and raises concerns about the effectiveness of its policy to combat illegal immigration. The issue of deporting asylum seekers to safe third countries remains a controversial topic, weighing security considerations against respect for human rights. The legal battle will continue in the Supreme Court, and the final outcome of this case remains to be seen.