UK (Washington Insider Magazine)— Two years ago, the UK launched the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), now known as the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership, which aimed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda before their claims were heard. Under this arrangement, Rwanda’s national asylum system would then assess their need for international protection.
However, in November 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unlawful, citing safety concerns in Rwanda. In response, the UK and Rwanda introduced a new bill declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, with additional safeguards.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pushing to pass the bill, with the first flight of asylum seekers set to depart within 10 to 12 weeks, according to international reports.
Despite this, UN Special Rapporteurs have raised significant human rights concerns. They warn that transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda or any other country could expose airlines and aviation authorities to the risk of refoulement—forcing refugees to return to places where they may face persecution or torture. This would violate international human rights laws, including the prohibition against torture or inhuman treatment.
The UN experts stress that even if the UK-Rwanda agreement is finalized, airlines that facilitate removals to Rwanda could be complicit in violating human rights and court orders. The UN has urged the UK Government, as well as aviation regulators, to uphold their responsibilities under international law and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The UN Human Rights Council appoints Special Rapporteurs to independently monitor and report on global human rights issues, serving in a personal capacity without government affiliation or compensation.
