United Kingdom: cancellation of a flight supposed to deport migrants to Rwanda

Europe 1 with AFP 08:01, June 15, 2022, modified at 08:01, June 15, 2022

"We are not discouraged by these developments. Rwanda remains fully committed to working to make this partnership work," government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told AFP.

The Rwandan government said on Wednesday it was "undeterred" by the cancellation of a flight meant to deport migrants from the UK to Rwanda the previous day due to legal challenges, and that it remained "committed " in this partnership.

“Rwanda stands ready to welcome migrants”

“The current situation, in which people are making dangerous journeys, cannot continue because it is causing untold suffering to so many people,” she added.

“Rwanda stands ready to welcome migrants when they arrive and offer them safety and opportunities in our country.”

A first flight was due to take off from Britain to the East African country on Tuesday evening, but it was canceled following a last-minute decision by the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR).

Illegal Channel crossings keep increasing

With its plan to send asylum seekers who arrived illegally in the United Kingdom to this East African country, more than 6,000 km from London, the government claims to curb the illegal crossings of the English Channel, which continue to increase despite its repeated promises to control immigration since Brexit.

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The policy has been called "immoral" by church leaders in England and heavily criticized by the UN refugee agency and rights groups.

The British government showed its determination on Tuesday evening.

"We will not be discouraged from doing the right thing and implementing our plans to control our country's borders," Home Secretary Priti Patel said, adding that the government's legal team is "looking into every decision made on this flight and preparation for the next flight begins now."