UK Avoids £100 Million Payout to Rwanda Over Asylum Agreement Collapse
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has exonerated the UK from paying Rwanda over £100 million in damages following the termination of the asylum agreement. The deal, initiated by the previous Conservative administration, sought to transfer asylum seekers arriving "illegally" in the UK to Rwanda for processing.
Rwandan Claim Dismissed
Lawyers for the UK argued the scheme's cancellation was a "simple common sense" outcome upon Labour's ascension to power, asserting no further payments were due. They refuted Rwanda's claims of a breach of contract, a position the tribunal ultimately upheld. A Rwandan government spokesperson confirmed respect for the ruling, considering the matter concluded, yet highlighted a dissenting opinion indicating the legal complexities involved.
Previously, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Rwanda's justice minister, claimed the country incurred "significant costs" in preparation, accusing the UK of attempting to "walk away from its legal obligations" without prior notification.
Policy Background and Aftermath
The Rwanda scheme, first announced in 2022 by Boris Johnson and pursued by Rishi Sunak, aimed to deter small boat crossings of the English Channel. Asylum seekers whose claims were successful in Rwanda would be granted refugee status there. The initial flight in 2022 was halted by the European Court of Human Rights due to ongoing legal challenges.
Keir Starmer's Labour government scrapped the scheme as a manifesto pledge, declaring it "dead and buried" upon taking office. A voluntary removals programme, offering up to £3,000 for migrants to move to Rwanda, saw only four individuals voluntarily relocated.
A UK government spokesperson affirmed that the UK "robustly" defended its position, stating a focus on "delivering vital reforms to restore order and control to our borders." Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, welcomed the ruling but criticised Labour's decision to cancel the plan, linking it to increased Channel crossings and asylum claims. Imran Hussain, from the Refugee Council, described the scheme as causing "chaos," advocating instead for a "fair and functioning asylum system" to ensure value for money.
