UK and Rwanda expand partnership on migration deal

British Home Secretary Soella Braverman and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Perotta have signed an updated version of the Migration Agreement, according to a statement published on the British government’s website.

“The Home Secretary and (Rwanda’s Foreign Minister) Biruda have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding which will expand the partnership to cover all types of people smuggling to safe countries and illegal and dangerous travel to the UK,” the statement said.

The statement added that the agreement will help prepare the UK to implement measures proposed in the Illegal Immigration Bill, as anyone who enters the UK illegally and is unable to return to their country is likely to be deported to Rwanda.

Earlier, “In News” news agency reported that the British Home Secretary will visit Rwanda, with which London has signed an immigration agreement, to promote the British authorities’ new plan to combat illegal immigration.

British Home Secretary Sowella Braverman introduced a bill in Parliament last week which would see people who enter Britain illegally by boat across the English Channel be deported to a “safe” third country, such as Rwanda, and not be allowed to return to the UK. Asylum is possible only in exceptional cases.

Also, Britain intends to reduce the number of refugees it accepts each year.

On 13 April 2022, the UK and Rwanda signed an agreement on migration whereby people recognized by the UK government as irregular migrants or asylum seekers will be deported to Rwanda for document processing, asylum and resettlement.

It is noteworthy that more than 45,000 migrants crossed the English Channel from mainland Europe to the United Kingdom in 2022, an increase from the more than 17,000 recorded in the previous year.

In total, 45,756 people crossed dangerously small boats on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes last year, up from 28,526 in 2021.

Source: Agencies

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