The recent court ruling states that the UK will not be obligated to pay Rwanda millions of pounds following the termination of the failed Tory deportation policy. Rwanda had filed a lawsuit seeking £100 million in payments that were scheduled for 2024 and 2025 under a controversial agreement championed by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, which involved transferring over £700 million in exchange for deporting unsuccessful asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Despite the UK government’s efforts to navigate legal obstacles associated with the policy, no forced removals were executed, leading to the abandonment of the project by the Labour administration. The court decision, made by judges at The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands, favored the UK’s stance that no further payments were owed to Rwanda after the policy’s discontinuation, deeming it a logical outcome.
The Rwanda initiative, touted as a flagship endeavor by the Tories, aimed to halt small boat crossings by relocating unsuccessful asylum seekers to Africa. However, only four individuals volunteered for relocation, raising uncertainties about Rwanda’s capacity to accommodate more individuals.
Following a Supreme Court ruling deeming the policy unlawful in 2023, Rishi Sunak introduced the Safety of Rwanda Act to endorse Rwanda as a safe destination for deportations. Notably, the Mirror exposed that while the legislation was being advanced in Parliament, the Foreign Office was devising contingency plans in case of conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the legal proceedings, UK representatives contended that it was rational to discontinue the plan with the change in government after the 2024 general election. Rwanda sought to hold the UK accountable for breaching the agreement and demanded outstanding payments along with compensation, which the UK vehemently opposed.
Upon assuming office, Keir Starmer swiftly declared the plan defunct, a sentiment echoed by Rwanda’s minister of justice and attorney general, who criticized the UK for abruptly reneging on its obligations without prior notification. Rwanda pressed for approximately £100 million in unpaid sums from 2024 and 2025, in addition to compensation, or a formal apology for the deal’s non-fulfillment.
In the arbitration, a suggestion was made to award Rwanda £50 million for the second year of the scheme, which was ultimately dismissed by the majority decision. A government spokesperson emphasized the tribunal’s ruling in favor of the UK, condemning the previous administration’s policy as wasteful and underscoring the current focus on enhancing border control and deterring illegal migration.
The government’s priority now lies in implementing crucial reforms to fortify border security, eliminate incentives for illegal migration to the UK, and accelerate the removal of unauthorized individuals residing in the country.