Rwanda

2022 - 6 - 13

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Image courtesy of "Chard & Ilminster News"

Refugees living in Rwanda warn arrivals from UK will face challenges (Chard & Ilminster News)

Some asylum seekers were resettled in the east African country from Libya under earlier arrangements.

There is no chance to get a job or do vending on the street.” “The UK government, my message to them is that human beings are human beings. “Look, many people are unemployed here,” said Rashid Rutazigwa, a mechanic in the capital. But those sent to Rwanda under the deal with Britain must apply for asylum in Rwanda. Rwandan authorities have said the agreement would initially last for five years, with the British government paying £120 million upfront for housing and integrating the asylum seekers. Those set to arrive under Rwanda’s new agreement with Britain will be housed in shelters around Kigali with features like private rooms, televisions and a swimming pool.

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Asylum seeker will be on Rwanda deportation flight after High Court ... (iNews)

A judge said: "The Secretary of State was entitled to reach the decisions she did.''

A fourth asylum seeker’s challenge was rejected by Justice Swift earlier on Tuesday. A panel of three justice refused permission to an individual to challenge the Court of Appeal’s ruling that upheld an earlier decision by a High Court judge not to grant an injunction to remove the man from the first deportation flight to Rwanda. A judge has dismissed the first High Court application of the day from an asylum seeker to not be removed to Rwanda on a flight this evening.

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Last-ditch bid to halt Rwanda deportations thrown out of court (Morning Star Online)

Campaigners described the rejection of the appeal — launched by charities Care4Calais, as well as Detention Action, Border Force staff union PCS and four asylum ...

You can read 5 more articles this month You can read 5 more article this month This is the last article you can read this month

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Is Rwanda safe? When the genocide took place and the country's ... (iNews)

A second case is due to be heard in the High Court today after Asylum Aid, a refugee charity, applied for an urgent interim injunction to stop the Government ...

However, we are determined to deliver this new partnership.” Meanwhile, in The Telegraph, Mr Busingye wrote that because of the nation’s history “Rwanda has a deep connection to those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land”. As of Friday, up to 130 people had been notified they could be removed. However, there is she says “a collective fear” among its people that they will be reported to the authorities if they should discuss anything “controversial”. However, the BBC has reported that the number of people set for the proposed first flight was down to 11 and “could be whittled down to zero” before the plane was due to depart. In April, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the UK would be sending some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to Rwanda to “put an end to this deadly trade in people smuggling”.

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UK court says flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda can go ahead (Aljazeera.com)

Judge Rabinder Singh said on Monday the Court of Appeal could not interfere with the High Court judge's “clear and detailed” judgement, and refused permission ...

Three more individuals will have their cases heard at the High Court on Tuesday morning. “We believe that this is all wrong … for so many different reasons,” UN High Commissioner For Refugees Filippo Grandi told reporters. The authorities have not provided details of those selected for deportation.

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Rwanda deportation flight at risk despite loss of two late appeals (The Guardian)

Two last-ditch legal challenges that attempted to halt the inaugural flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda have been rejected by judges.

The Scottish National party home affairs spokesman, Stuart McDonald, asking an urgent question, told the Commons: “This is not world-leading policy. Asked if Charles was wrong, Johnson told LBC Radio: “What I don’t think is we should support is continued activity by criminal gangs.” “I am still very stressed about what will happen next,” he said. One charity, Care4Calais, said on Monday afternoon there were fewer than eight. A coalition of two refugee charities, Detention Action and Care4Calais, and the PCS union, which represents Border Force staff, were granted leave on Friday to appeal against the rejection of their injunction in the court of appeal on Monday morning. The court of appeal upheld a previous decision to reject an injunction blocking the first flight, which was due to take off for the east African state on Tuesday.

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Tory MPs cheer decision to allow first Rwanda deportation flight (Chard & Ilminster News)

Eleven people are due to be on board Tuesday's flight to the east African country after Court of Appeal judges rejected the challenge to a High Court judge's ...

If you come from a safe country, you’re picking the UK as a preferred destination.” Mr Pursglove replied: “As ever I am grateful to him for his suggestion which I certainly take on board. SNP home affairs spokesman Stuart McDonald, asking an urgent question, told the Commons: “This is not world-leading policy.

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Rwanda deportation plan gets go-ahead by appeals court (The Independent)

Judges rejected a last-ditch attempt by campaigners to have the first flight blocked until a full hearing on the lawfulness of the “offshore processing” scheme ...

However, the Home Office would not say how regularly flights to Rwanda could take place. Flights will go every single week from the Home Office.” If the flight takes place with just several people on, that will then set a precedent. Since then a flurry of legal challenges have seen the passenger list dwindle. Up to 130 people were originally told they could be sent to Rwanda under the controversial scheme. We’re very hopeful all of them will be removed from the flight list.”

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UK's bid to export some refugees to Rwanda, 'all wrong', says UN ... (UN News)

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on Monday dismissed the British Government's proposal to process United Kingdom-bound asylum seekers in ...

Is that the real motivation for this deal to happen? Speaking in Geneva, the High Commissioner also dismissed the UK Government’s assertion that the policy’s aim was “to save people” from dangerous boat journeys across the English Channel, from the coast of mainland Europe. Underscoring that the UK is a signatory to the International Convention on Refugees, the High Commissioner maintained that trying to “export” the responsibilities that this entailed, “runs contrary to any notion of responsibility and international responsibility-sharing”.

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Protests as court rules Rwanda flight can go ahead (The Voice Online)

CAMPAIGNERS LOST their fight to stop Priti Patel deporting asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Rwanda. The Court of Appeal ruled today that the British ...

Others have suggested, the government is so keen to push the Rwandan plan through that the flight might still go ahead even if the numbers of those on-board are in single digits. A number of legal appeals are thought to have been submitted to the courts on Monday, in a last minute legal scramble, to prevent as many people as possible from being removed to Rwanda. UK protests slamming the Home Office plans have also continued to gain momentum, as the stark reality of the Rwanda scheme becomes clearer by the day, at odds with previous government claims.

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Rwanda deportation plan: First flight taking asylum seekers to ... (Sky News)

The High Court ruled last week the first asylum seekers could be flown to Rwanda for relocation - but fresh legal challenges have been made in an attempt to ...

There's also a games room on the other side of compound which has scenic views of the city. Outside, builders are at work, looking to finish what staff say will be a basketball court and additional outdoor space. The Hope Hostel in Kigali is a guest house with 50 double bedrooms for 100 people. Mr Husain said it was "abundantly clear" the Home Office's view that Rwanda is a "safe third country" for asylum claims "was predicated on a complete misunderstanding" of the views of the UNHCR. The first thing you're greeted with on arrival is a sign that reads: "Come as a guest and leave as a friend." Referring to the decision made by the High Court on Friday, Lord Justice Singh said on Monday: "We consider that the judge produced a detailed and careful judgment which is all the more impressive in view of the time constraints under which he had to give it" in this "urgent and important case".

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Church of England leaders call Rwanda deportation plan 'immoral ... (iNews)

The first deportation flight is poised to go ahead on Tuesday after a bid to block it was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

“People have a right to seek asylum in the UK and should not be sent to Rwanda or any other country. The tragic truth is that people will continue to make dangerous journeys across the Channel to reach safety and family here because no safe routes are available,” said CEO Beth Gardiner-Smith. Safe Passage, a charity campaigning for safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to the UK, said it was “heartbroken” for those due to be sent to Rwanda on Tuesday.

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Rwanda deportation flight set to leave after legal challenge fails (Evening Standard)

The archbishops of Canterbury and York have joined the condemnation of the 'immoral' policy to remove asylum seekers.

“Throughout these injunction hearings, we have heard powerful evidence against this policy and we are confident that, when our full legal challenge is heard in the High Court in July, this Government will be forced to abandon this policy and bring back anyone who is ultimately removed,” said deputy director James Wilson. Detention Action, the other charity involved in the appeal, said it was “disappointed” with the ruling but would continue to press ahead with a full legal challenge to the policy due to be heard next month. However in a letter to The Times, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, said the policy “should shame us as a nation.”

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Rwanda deportations planned despite UK government's own ... (iNews)

Kizito Mihigo, a famous Rwandan gospel singer, was found dead in his cell soon after being arrested in 2020.

The lyrics mention those “slaughtered in revenge killings” and were deemed to challenge the official version of the genocide by acknowledging that the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the ruling political party led by Mr Kagame, also committed brutal crimes. Mihigo was arrested on charges of plotting terrorist attacks. He was arrested again in February 2020, over allegations that he had tried to flee to Burundi. He was found dead in his cell within days, with the Rwandan authorities saying he had hanged himself. However, there has been no further investigation into the death. However, in 2014 he released a song, “The Meaning of Death”, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide. His death prompted the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to write – in a letter to a Rwandan exile seen by i – of its “expectation for a prompt, independent and transparent investigation by the Rwandan authorities”.

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Rwanda migrants — live: Truss says plan 'completely moral' ahead ... (The Independent)

Meanwhile, Home Office sources revealed to the Guardian that there was a risk that the first deportation flight to Rwanda carrying asylum seekers could be ...

Up to 130 people were told they could be sent to Rwanda under home secretary Priti Patel’s highly controversial scheme. Is that the real motivation for this deal to happen? However, Downing Street refused to rule out sending an entire charter plane with only one asylum seeker on board. Mr Grandi emphasised: “I mean, saving people from dangerous journeys is great, is absolutely great, but is that the right way to do it? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The first Rwanda deportation flight appears to be in doubt after a series of legal challenges have pushed the number of asylum seekers booked onboard into single figures. Home Office sources revealed to the Guardian that there was a risk that the first deportation flight to Rwanda — carrying asylum seekers — could be cancelled after the legal challenges meant that fewer than 10 people were expected to be on board. Foreign secretary Liz Truss has said that the government expects to send asylum seekers on a flight to Rwanda today despite the number of passengers reaching single figures. Liz Truss has rejected the Church of England’s condemnation of the plan to put asylum seekers on a one-way flight to Rwanda – insisting the policy is “completely moral”. There are reportedly seven people still scheduled to be on the flight after dozens of asylum seekers won legal challenges and were removed. Meanwhile, Home Office sources revealed to the Guardian that there was a risk that the first deportation flight to Rwanda carrying asylum seekers could be cancelled. The foreign secretary has insisted the government’s policy to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda is “completely moral” after the Church of England’s senior bishops condemned the plan.

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Image courtesy of "Chard & Ilminster News"

Tory MPs cheer decision to allow first Rwanda deportation flight (Chard & Ilminster News)

Eleven people are due to be on board Tuesday's flight to the east African country after Court of Appeal judges rejected the challenge to a High Court judge's ...

If you come from a safe country, you’re picking the UK as a preferred destination.” Mr Pursglove replied: “As ever I am grateful to him for his suggestion which I certainly take on board. SNP home affairs spokesman Stuart McDonald, asking an urgent question, told the Commons: “This is not world-leading policy.

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Refugees living in Rwanda warn arrivals from UK will face challenges (Redditch Advertiser)

Some asylum seekers were resettled in the east African country from Libya under earlier arrangements.

There is no chance to get a job or do vending on the street.” “The UK government, my message to them is that human beings are human beings. “Look, many people are unemployed here,” said Rashid Rutazigwa, a mechanic in the capital. But those sent to Rwanda under the deal with Britain must apply for asylum in Rwanda. Rwandan authorities have said the agreement would initially last for five years, with the British government paying £120 million upfront for housing and integrating the asylum seekers. Those set to arrive under Rwanda’s new agreement with Britain will be housed in shelters around Kigali with features like private rooms, televisions and a swimming pool.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Rwanda deportations: Seven asylum seekers understood to be on ... (Sky News)

After two legal challenges failed, a plane is scheduled to leave for the Rwandan capital of Kigali later, but it is unclear how many asylum seekers will be ...

Labour's shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell told Sky News: "We think this policy is unworkable... Three further legal challenges are expected today. After two legal challenges failed, a plane is scheduled to leave for the Rwandan capital of Kigali later, but it is unclear how many asylum seekers will be onboard. "There will be people on the flight and if they are not on this flight they will be on the next flight." Seven people are due to be on the first flight sending asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, Sky News understands, as the foreign secretary insisted if they are not on that plane "they will be on the next". After two legal challenges failed, a plane is scheduled to leave for the Rwandan capital of Kigali later, but it is unclear how many asylum seekers will be onboard.

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Liz Truss says Rwanda flights policy is 'completely moral' (The Guardian)

Foreign secretary defends government's policy to send asylum seekers to Africa after criticism from bishops.

The important point is the principle.” “That is why we’re doing this policy and that’s why it’s important we get the flight out today.” The people who are immoral in this case are the people traffickers trading in human misery.

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Truss insists first 'completely moral' Rwanda flight will take off with ... (Chard & Ilminster News)

The first flight removing asylum seekers to Rwanda will take off no matter how few people are on board, the Foreign Secretary has indicated as she defended ...

“This immoral policy shames Britain,” they said in a letter to the Times, which was also signed by the bishops of London, Durham, Exeter, Birmingham and Manchester. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said the policy “should shame us as a nation”. The archbishops of Canterbury and York described the “immoral” plan as one that “shames Britain” as they added to vehement criticism from opposition parties.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Rwanda migrants — live: First deportation flight set to go ahead after ... (The Independent)

Three Court of Appeal judges yesterday rejected a last-ditch legal effort to block the first flight that will deport Rwandan asylum seekers back to their ...

We’re dealing with a small number of the world’s most vulnerable.” Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Liz Truss has rejected the Church of England’s condemnation of the plan to put asylum seekers on a one-way flight to Rwanda – insisting the policy is “completely moral”. A government source told the BBC that they “will do everything possible to keep people on the flight”. Foreign secretary Liz Truss has said that she expects that “significant” numbers of people will be on one-way flights to Rwanda for asylum seekers by the end of the year. “And I think that what the criminal gangs are doing and what those who effectively are abetting the work of the criminal gangs are doing is undermining people’s confidence in the safe and legal system, undermining people’s general acceptance of immigration.” He insisted that the government would not be deterred by the attacks “not least from lawyers” and told ministers that “we are going to get on and deliver” the plan. A government source had told the BBC that they “will do everything possible to keep people on the flight”. Boris Johnson has accused lawyers who are challenging the Rwanda flight in court of “abetting the work of criminal gangs” in a meeting of the Cabinet. He insisted that the government would not be deterred by the attacks “not least from lawyers” and told ministers that “we are going to get on and deliver” the plan. “I think that what the criminal gangs are doing and what those who effectively are abetting the work of the criminal gangs are doing is undermining people’s confidence in the safe and legal system,” Mr Johnson added. Boris Johnson has accused lawyers who are challenging the Rwanda flight in court of “abetting the work of criminal gangs” in a meeting of the Cabinet.

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UK to send first asylum seekers to Rwanda (FRANCE 24)

The British government was to send a first plane carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda on Tuesday despite last-gasp legal bids and protests against the ...

And contradicting the UN refugee agency UNHCR, it insists that Rwanda is a safe destination with the capacity to absorb possibly tens of thousands of UK-bound claimants in future. In Geneva, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi called the UK government policy "all wrong" and said it should not be "exporting its responsibility to another country". Claimants had argued that a decision on the policy should have waited until a full hearing on the legality of the policy next month.

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What time is the Rwanda deportation flight today? Why UK refugees ... (iNews)

The Government has faced a wave of legal challenges to the scheme, with the first flight to Kigali set to leave the UK today.

We have already had to directly intervene to stop children who were incorrectly assessed as adults from being deported to Rwanda.” I can’t say exactly how many people will be on the flight.” Urging the Government to “rethink” its “disastrous” plan, she said: “The arrangement with Rwanda represents a clear and shameful abandonment of the UK’s responsibility to refugees under the Refugee Convention. The first deportation flight sending asylum seekers to Rwanda is scheduled to take off from the UK on Tuesday after the Court of Appeal rejected a last-ditch legal challenge to the Government’s controversial scheme on Monday. The Government has insisted the Home Office scheme will deter people from making illegal crossings to the UK and will hit people trafficking gangs, but the policy has faced a storm of criticism and legal challenges. The first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda under the Government’s controversial scheme is scheduled to take off on Tuesday evening.

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Rage outside Home Office after judges clear way for Rwanda ... (Socialist Worker)

A 1000-strong protest on Monday night raged at judges' decision to throw out an appeal to stop the Tories' first deportation flight to Rwanda.

The Tories are racist to divide us, but also because their system is rooted in colonialism and racism.” Yet they tell us cuts to the NHS and education are because of refugees.” Michael added, “As a trade unionist I’m here to show solidarity with my fellow workers around the world, including refugees and those being deported. Already over half of those due to be kicked out of Britain on the first flight have been taken off after individual legal challenges. We have to stand up.” Justice Jonathan Smith ruled last Friday that there was “material Public interest” in allowing home secretary Priti Patel to continue with Rwanda deportation policy.

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Rwanda migrant flight battle goes to the wire (Evening Standard)

inisters were on Tuesday bracing themselves for the first Rwanda deportation flight to potentially be left with no passengers amid new legal battles and a ...

Each of the migrants selected for it has had the right to lodge legal claims, however, and dozens have already done so to secure at least a temporary reprieve. Boris Johnson admitted today that his Government’s Rwanda policy was under a “huge amount of attack” but vowed not to be “deterred” from pressing ahead with it as a solution to tackling illegal immigration. He added that illegal immigration was an issue raised by many constituents and would be addressed by the Government. The people who are immoral in this case are the people traffickers trading in human misery. They admitted that the Government was preparing for the flight to be left with no migrants to carry. ... The cost of illegal immigration and the cost of the actions of these people traffickers is huge, both in the policing effort that we need to expend, the human misery that we see, but also the cost of illegal immigration to the British system.

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