Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in Kent on Thursday that the UK and Rwanda had reached a strategic agreement to relocate and resettle refugees to the island nation of Rwanda, where tens of thousands of refugees arrived last year. “We need to make sure that the only way to shelter in their country is safe and legal,” Johnson said.
Boris Johnson is the British Prime Minister.
Photo: Justin Thales/AFP
The UK is a major concern for refugees arriving in the English Channel, with many dying in transit because they are traveling in unsuitable boats. Last year, 28,000 migrants arrived from the mainland.
“Those who try to circumvent this or abuse our system will not have an automatic chance of settling in Hungary, but will be transferred quickly and humanely to a safe third country or their country of origin,” the prime minister said.
Anyone who has entered Britain illegally since January 1 this year can now be transferred to Rwanda in Central Africa, which the British government says will disrupt the work of people smugglers. Under the agreement with Rwanda, tens of thousands of people will be able to resettle in the coming years. The UK Government is contributing £120 million to the partnership in the first round. The transfer will primarily affect unmarried young people.
British opposition politicians say the scheme is not only exploitative and immoral, but also futile. Johnson said he knows his plan will face legal challenges, but he will do everything in his power to make it happen.
Interior Minister Priti Patel signed and submitted the agreement with Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Berrota on Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda. Refugee buildings were also shown. “When we discussed this partnership, we assessed our ability to receive immigrants and we know we have the capacity to receive immigrants, but we will also invest in infrastructure in the future,” Perrotta said.
According to the head of an asylum organization, the plan goes against the principle of giving asylum seekers a fair trial on British soil. is granted. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Asylum Council, told BBC Radio: “I think it’s very unusual for the government to be so obsessed with control, rather than on efficiency and compassion.” (Reuters)
