By John Ikani
British authorities have initiated detaining asylum seekers as part of a new program to deport them to Rwanda with the initial flights slated for July.
“Our dedicated enforcement teams are moving swiftly to detain those who have no right to be here so we can get flights off the ground,” stated Home Secretary James Cleverly.
Confirmation of the round-ups followed the recent passage of a law designating Rwanda as a safe third country, bypassing a previous UK Supreme Court ruling deeming the scheme illegal on human rights grounds.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aiming to curb migrants and asylum seekers arriving by small boats from mainland Europe, announced that detentions would start promptly before deportation flights commence within “10 to 12 weeks.”
Describing it as “another major milestone” in the Rwanda plan, the UK’s Home Office released images and a video of immigration enforcement officers detaining individuals at various locations.
“This government has lost its last ounce of humanity,” criticized the charity Freedom from Torture on social media.
A senior minister disclosed that the government anticipates deporting 5,700 people this year, with Rwanda having “in principle” agreed to accept that number.
However, authorities have lost contact with thousands of potential deportees, locating only 2,143 for detention, leaving over 3,500 unaccounted for.
Ministers maintain that enforcement teams will track them down, with commercial charter planes booked and an airport standing by.
Challenges Ahead
More than 7,500 people have arrived in the country on small boats from France this year, and the government asserts the policy will deter further risky Channel crossings.
Mindful of the Supreme Court ruling last November, human rights groups and unions opposed to the policy are expected to launch new legal challenges to prevent the flights.
“People are very frightened,” expressed Natasha Tsangarides, associate director of advocacy at Freedom from Torture, warning that fear of detention and deportation to Rwanda could drive some underground and away from support networks.
Rwanda, with a population of 13 million in Africa’s Great Lakes region, claims to be one of the most stable countries on the continent, boasting modern infrastructure. However, rights groups accuse President Paul Kagame of ruling with repression, stifling dissent and free speech.
