People have responded angrily to the UK Government's plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing as part of their attempts to reduce the number of people crossing the Channel by small boats illegally. On Thursday morning, the Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, appeared on Sky News to discuss the government's intentions.
While speaking to Sky News' Kay Burley, Mr Hart said the plans had the potential to be a "really humane step forward". He also said: "We are trying to safeguard people's interests... This is meant to be about being able to distinguish between economical migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. And trying to make sure that people end up in a safe place with a reasonable future. That is something I would imagine we could join in some form of agreement."
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When asked about whether children would be sent to Rwanda, the Welsh Secretary said: "The principle is no. This is about male economic migrants in the main. There is a different set of issues with women and children and refugees and asylum seekers."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government's plans on Thursday. But the majority of the public and various organisations have strongly opposed these plans. Charities have described a plan to send asylum seekers nearly 6,000 miles away as a "cruel and nasty decision" that will not only fail to address the issue but "lead to more human suffering and chaos". The plan could cost around £1.4bn in costs.
Meanwhile, the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has also condemned the plan and said on Twitter: "The UK Government’s plans to send asylum seekers and refugees to Rwanda is cruel and inhumane. This is not the way to treat people seeking safety and sanctuary. This is nothing more than a cynical distraction from the Prime Minister’s law breaking."
WalesOnline readers have also had their say on the matter. Following Simon Hart's interview on Sky News, Janet Sage Thomas said on Facebook: "He also doesn't know the difference between humane and inhumane. Shipping refugees half way across the world to camps for processing, where have I heard this before?"
Martin Evans added: "Useless. Utterly useless". Roger Van Paet said: "What an abhorrent man... This would be the same Rwanda that last year the UK complained to the UN about concerning disappearances, killings and torture. As I recall my history, Germany in the 1930s proposed sending those it considered ‘undesirable’ to Madagascar. Those who don’t learn the lessons of history will end up repeating in. How much lower can this Government stoop?".
Alexander Fairgrieve said: I'm truly ashamed of our country", while Pauline Evans said: "Rwanda has an appalling human rights when they had their war they committed genocide on innocent men women and children and how much are we paying to take these people. I know we are over crowded but there must be another way."
On Twitter, user Richard Jones (Bones) had this to say: "Blind loyalty like the rest of them. It's nauseating and insulting to the public". You can keep up to date with the latest politics stories by subscribing to our Wales Matters newsletter here.
