London's controversial move aims to deter them from venturing out to sea
Asylum seekers feel "terrified" by Britain's plan to transfer them to Rwanda
Asylum seekers insist on returning to Britain if deported.
Father
After leaving the Middle East or Africa, crossing Europe, and then the English Channel, asylum seekers in the United Kingdom face the possibility of being deported to Rwanda, in a “terrifying” project that worries them, but will not achieve its goal, which is to discourage them from heading to Britain, as they say.
The hotel in which they are gathered is located a few hundred meters from the modern towers of London's financial district, but it does not house businessmen or women, only asylum seekers from individuals and families.
They arrived in the UK illegally, some hiding in trucks, others on boats.
It is estimated that in 2022 more than 45,000 migrants will cross the English Channel on these fragile boats, which is a record number.
Many do not speak English but one word is enough to evoke Rwandan reactions.
"I can no longer sleep," said Sudanese Mohamed, 24, who arrived by boat two years ago.
An Iraqi Kurd who was smoking a cigarette in front of the hotel door confirmed: “Rwanda?
No.
Would you like to live there?"
In April, the government of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck an agreement with Rwanda to deport migrants who entered the UK illegally, whatever their point of origin, even before their asylum claims have been examined.
This controversial policy aims to deter migrants from venturing out to sea.
Last week, the British judiciary approved the project, which the government wants to implement as soon as possible.
"It's really scary, and it puts a lot of pressure on the people in the hotel," said Amir, a 24-year-old Iranian Kurd.
This young man arrived in the UK four years ago hiding in a lorry, thinking he wouldn't be included in the plan.
He hopes to obtain refugee status soon.
Amir never doubts, after many years spent surrounded by migrants fleeing war or persecution, that the threat of sending them to Rwanda "will not deter them and they will continue to come" to Britain.
"This project is terrifying," said Abdul Hakim - (24 years old - Ethiopian), who arrived in the UK on a boat.
He added, "When the project was announced in April, we were talking about it a lot. Everyone was terrified."
Then, in June, the first flight was canceled following a decision by the European Court of Human Rights.
Despite Monday's court ruling, Abdelhakim hopes the plan will not go through.
"It would be terrible," he said.
Like starting from scratch,” noting that “Rwanda is not a safe place, and genocide took place in this country!”
As for the Iranian (Mary - 23 years old), she prefers to be deported to Rwanda rather than be sent back to her country.
"If I go back to Iran, I will be arrested," she said. "At least in Rwanda, I can survive."
Mary left Iran with her husband two years ago.
They took a boat to England after their asylum application was rejected in the Netherlands.
Both converted to Christianity, she said. “I don't know anything about Rwanda except that it's in Africa.
But if I have no other choice, I will go.'
In the face of criticism, the government insists that there are safe and legal routes for migrants.
But in a parliamentary committee, the far-right Home Secretary, Soella Braverman, had difficulty responding to a member of the House of Commons who asked her how a 16-year-old orphan, who wanted to escape from war in an East African country, could legally arrive in the kingdom. United.
A counselor tried to reply, "Depending on which country you are from, you can contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees."
The Ministry of the Interior stresses the issue of family reunification between these "safe ways".
But the response of all the migrants outside the hotel was unanimous: "They could not have reached the UK legally."
And the Ethiopian (Abdul Hakim) said: “It is impossible to arrive legally.
Maybe on a student visa?
But I did not have the means to study.
As for the Kurdish (Emir) who came from Iran, he says that he is threatened in his country, and “the request for asylum from Iran does not exist!
Do you really think Iran would have given me a passport?”
• These refugees arrived in the UK illegally, some hiding in trucks, others on boats. It is estimated that in 2022 more than 45,000 migrants will cross the English Channel on these fragile boats, which is a record number.
• The government of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, last April, concluded an agreement with Rwanda to deport migrants who entered illegally into British territory, whatever their point of origin, even before their asylum claims have been examined.
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