Fatshimetrie: The voluntary choice of an asylum seeker to settle in Rwanda
An asylum seeker, whose nationality has not been revealed, traveled voluntarily to Rwanda from the United Kingdom. It is in no way linked to the controversial deal to deport migrants entering the United Kingdom illegally to Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda, deputy government spokesman, told the Associated Press on Wednesday.
Welcome to Rwanda
“We welcomed him yesterday and we are watching over him,” he said. “In a few days, the asylum seeker will inform us of his decision to stay in Rwanda or go elsewhere.”
Rwandan authorities will assess his status and take appropriate decisions, he added.
Last week, the British Parliament approved legislation allowing deportations to Rwanda despite criticism from human rights groups saying the plan is inhumane and illegal.
Legal framework and expulsion policy
Kemi Badenoch, Britain’s secretary of state for trade and business, said the asylum seeker choosing to leave shows that Rwanda is safe for deportees.
”We should emphasize that because one of the big arguments about this program was that Rwanda was not a safe country, and in reality people are volunteering to go there,” Badenoch told Times Radio. “I know people who go there on vacation, a lot of people have gone there.”
The deportee apparently received 3,000 pounds sterling ($3,750) for his departure. Badenoch told Sky News there is no ‘no fee’ option for border control.
The British government hopes the deportations will deter migrants who risk their lives in inflatable boats and flee to Britain in the hope of making asylum claims once they arrive.
The plan was condemned by both the UNHCR and the Council of Europe.
Some human rights groups say the best way to end trafficking is for countries to work together to provide safe, legal pathways for migrants, not for countries like Britain to erect barriers and outsource their problem to others. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said last week that deportation flights would begin in July.