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Rwanda is \u201cless attractive\u201d than the UK but is still \u201csafe\u201d to deport asylum seekers to, the Government told the Supreme Court yesterday.<\/p>\n
Lawyers acting for the Home Office opened the Government\u2019s challenge to a Court of Appeal ruling in June that the multi-million-pound deal to deport asylum seekers to the east African nation was unlawful.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, told a panel of five justices both countries were committed to the plan with \u201cvery powerful\u201d practical incentives for Rwanda to comply with assurances given.<\/p>\n
He said the policy to remove \u00adpeople to \u201ca country less attractive\u201d than the UK, \u201cbut nevertheless safe\u201d, was lawful and explained that the Government attached \u201cconsiderable importance\u201d to its deportation \u00adpolicy.<\/p>\n
Sir James told the hearing there was a \u201cserious and pressing need to take effective steps\u201d to stop those taking the \u201clife-threatening journey\u201d from a safe country.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Keir Starmer says he\u2019ll scrap Rwanda as Prime Minister – even if it\u2019s working<\/strong><\/p>\n He later referenced concerns that had been raised over the policy and Rwanda\u2019s history, including by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR.<\/p>\n Sir James added: \u201cThe UK cannot seek to resolve those issues. That does not mean those concerns having been received should be ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n In written arguments, he added that transfers \u201cwill only take place with the consent of the Rwandan authorities\u201d. He said the \u201cindependently monitored\u201d deal and assurances would ensure anyone sent \u00adto Rwanda \u201cwill have a safe and effective determination of their claim\u201d compatible with human rights conventions.<\/p>\n The UNHCR says Rwanda lacks the \u201cminimum components of an accessible, reliable, fair and efficient asylum system\u201d. In a written submission, Angus McCullough KC said it was concerned about the safety and legality, adding: \u201cUNHCR maintains its unequivocal warning against the transfer of asylum seekers to Rwanda.\u201d<\/p>\n Those to be deported on the first Rwanda-bound plane in June 2022, grounded minutes before takeoff, oppose the deal. Raza Husain KC, for several of the asylum seekers, had described Rwanda as an \u201cautocratic repressive state\u201d which \u201cimprisons, tortures and murders\u201d opponents. The hearing is expected to end tomorrow with a judgment due later.<\/p>\n Migrants will move back to the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge next week. The vessel was evacuated after an outbreak of Legionella. Home Office sources said 38 migrants will return as \u201cwe are \u00addetermined to end the use of expensive hotels\u201d.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/5003166.jpg?r=1696883208296\")
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