Great Britain British minister: Rwanda asylum pact cost 700 million pounds
The asylum pact concluded by the former Conservative government in the UK with Rwanda has cost the taxpayer more than 700 million pounds (around 830 million euros). This was stated by the new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, in Parliament in London. She described the program as "the most shocking waste of taxpayers' money I have ever seen".
22.07.2024, 18:23
SDA
The new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer overturned the asylum pact shortly after his party won the general election on July 4.
There was no provision for return to the UK
The agreement stipulated that people who entered the UK irregularly should no longer be given the opportunity to apply for asylum in the country. Instead, they were to be taken to Rwanda regardless of their origin and apply for asylum there. A return to the UK was not envisaged.
This was intended to prevent people from making the dangerous crossing across the English Channel in small boats. However, human rights organizations doubted the alleged deterrent effect. There were never any actual deportations to Rwanda as part of the asylum pact.
Rwanda was declared a safe country by law
A planned flight in summer 2022 was stopped at the last moment by the European Court of Human Rights. The British Supreme Court later declared the plan unlawful. Rwanda could not be considered a safe country for refugees, the judges ruled at the time. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak then rushed a legislative initiative through parliament to declare Rwanda safe by law.
Flights were actually supposed to start as early as spring 2024. However, logistical problems also caused difficulties. It took the government a long time to find airlines willing to operate the flights. In the end, Sunak promised that deportations would begin in the summer if he won the election.
