The United Kingdom and Rwanda plan to seal a deal that will see asylum seekers who arrive in Britain flown 4,500 kilometers offshore for processing in the East African country.
The controversial agreement between the British and Rwandese governments, which the UK’s opposition Labour Party calls “unworkable and unethical,” comes after similar agreements failed to be reached with Ghana and Albania.
Under the plan, migrants would now have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda and encouraged to settle there, British media reports.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the move is part of a broader strategy to undermine the business model of people smuggling gangs who help migrants and asylum seekers to informally cross the English Channel from mainland Europe.
His office labeled Rwanda “one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, which is recognized globally for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants.”
Conversely, critics of the move argue that the approach is racist as it is in stark contrast to the manner in which Ukrainian refugees are being treated.
If being White is ALL that qualifies #Ukrainian refugees a home/wage/benefits/NHS etc in UK – that’s Racism.
If being trafficked by British Govt to Rwanda is justified but wrong to do to Priti Patel’s parents when they applied for UK stay – that’s Racism.
British Govt is rotten
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) April 14, 2022
Under the agreement, Rwanda would receive 158 million U.S. dollars from the British government under what London is calling a broader “migration and economic development partnership.”
