The United Kingdom has initiated a contentious operation to transfer migrants to Rwanda in Africa, with plans for further actions in the upcoming weeks. The British government has encountered legal and political obstacles over the past two years in pursuit of its Rwanda policy, which aims to send asylum seekers arriving in the U.K. from a 'safe' country after Jan. 1, 2022, to Rwanda.
Despite facing opposition, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed through legislation in April to implement the policy. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing the government's approach as 'performatively cruel' and 'shameful.'
The program could potentially affect 52,000 asylum seekers, with 5,700 individuals identified for the initial group set for removal. Concerns have been raised by international bodies such as the U.N. refugee agency and the Council of Europe regarding human rights violations and potential damage to global cooperation on migrant issues.
British Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the initiative as a pioneering response to illegal migration, emphasizing the need to swiftly detain those without the right to stay in the U.K. to disrupt people smuggling operations.
Authorities in Rwanda have been preparing for two years to receive the migrants, with the first flights expected to depart in the next 10 to 12 weeks. The operation includes both forced deportations and voluntary departures, with one asylum seeker reportedly accepting a payment to relocate to Rwanda.
While the U.K. government aims to address concerns over illegal immigration, the move has stirred debate and criticism, with questions raised about the impact on human rights and international cooperation in managing the global migrant crisis.
