Brits split on deporting migrants to Rwanda on eve of first flight
Audio 01:15
Britons demonstrate against the deportation of refugees to Rwanda, outside the Royal High Court, in London, June 10, 2022. AP - Frank Augstein
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The first flight carrying asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda is scheduled for Tuesday June 14, according to British Home Secretary Priti Patel's plan to deter illegal immigration.
So human rights associations are still active to prevent this take-off, where 31 people are supposed to be sent to Rwanda.
In the streets of London, the English are divided about this controversy.
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With our correspondent in London,
Marie Boëda
Slicked-back gray hair, tinted glasses and a denim shirt, Garry walks his dog a few blocks from Saint Pancras Station.
For this retiree,
these refugees
should not stay in England.
"
Obviously people can't keep coming here and risking their lives crossing the English Channel.
From what I understand, some have already been sent there and have started making their living.
They have good conditions, certainly better than what they get here.
So I don't think it's immoral, let's see if it works first.
»
A couple from Manchester roll their eyes when they hear about the subject.
Leaning on a table in the sun, Lise does not mince her words against her government: “
I am ashamed, Priti Patel is a poison that must be extinguished.
I think they should stop everything and think again about a more suitable solution.
Shipping
them to Rwanda
is just ridiculous.
»
According to Pete, her husband, this policy will not deter refugees from crossing the Channel.
There is still a chance for these 31 asylum seekers not to board the plane on Tuesday.
Three associations are appealing to the High Court in London, with the aim of preventing this theft from taking place.
This appeal procedure and its verdict must take place on Monday, June 13.
The association Freedom from Torture is not one of the organizations concerned, but supports their action and it has also already presented an injunction which was rejected last week.
Its director Sonya Sceats hopes this appeal will start a “
legal battle
” that will force judges to “
much more scrutiny
”.
It may be that the judges, after a much more thorough examination, decide that this injunction is justified, in which case the flight will not take off.
If the appeal is rejected, these people locked up in removal centers will have to receive individual injunctions: they will have to have access to a good lawyer.
It's a real challenge, which is why we're so concerned about procedural fairness, given the stakes: we've written to the court to express our support for the injunction applications.
Whatever happens to the proceedings, there will be a full judicial review of the legality of the measures in July.
One thing is certain, the legal battle has only just begun.
Freedom From Torture director Sonya Sceats wants 'closer scrutiny' of UK strategy for returning refugees to Kigali
Marie Boeda
►
To read also:
United Kingdom: suicide attempts among migrants threatened with deportation to Rwanda
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