ICERAS

Britain’s new policy proposal to send asylum seekers who have not arrived by legal routes to Rwanda in East Africa is unethical and probably illegal under international humanitarian law. 

Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel recently signed a deal to remove to Rwanda asylum-seekers arriving in Britain by unauthorised routes (including across the English Channel). They would not be allowed to have their cases heard in the UK, but their asylum applications would be processed “offshore”. The UK government has previously tried to make arrangements to send such claimants to Romania and even to the Isle of Man for processing, but, unable to get permission from these countries, it has finally secured the agreement by bribing the Rwandan government, whose human rights record is hardly commendable.

Britain is in effect following the example of Australia which has sent refugees to the Island of Nauru. Australia’s ultra-tough policy of offshore processing centres has resulted in manifestly inhumane treatment, many deaths and suicides. readmore