British Interior Minister Suella Braverman defended Saturday, from Kigali, the plan to deport asylum seekers who arrived illegally in the United Kingdom to Rwanda, assuring that it was "humanitarian" and
"
compassionate
"
.
The British Conservatives have made the fight against illegal immigration, one of the promises of “
Brexit
”, one of their priorities.
But never before have so many migrants crossed the Channel on small boats to reach the United Kingdom.
More than 45,000 arrived on English shores in 2022, compared to 28,526 in 2021, and already 3,150 in 2023. Hoping to discourage crossings, the government had concluded an agreement with Kigali providing for deportations to Rwanda.
"
I sincerely believe that this world-leading partnership between two allies and two friends, the UK and Rwanda, will pave the way for a solution that is both humanitarian and compassionate," Suella told reporters
. Braverman, alongside Vincent Biruta, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The boss of the "
Home Office
" added that there was a "
global migration crisis
".
Read alsoUnited Kingdom: what changes the validation of the High Court for the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda
This project “
will not only contribute to dismantling criminal networks of human trafficking, but also to saving lives
”, assured Vincent Biruta for his part.
In December, the High Court in London gave the green light to this highly controversial project that the conservative government of Rishi Sunak wants to deploy as soon as possible, judging the device “
legal
”.
But the British justice accepted in January to examine the government project on appeal.
A first flight scheduled for June had been canceled, after a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which called for a thorough review of this policy.
Rwanda, ruled with an iron fist by Paul Kagame since the end of the 1994 genocide, which killed 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus according to the UN, is regularly accused by NGOs of repressing the freedom of expression, criticism and political opposition.
On Saturday, several thousand people demonstrated in several cities in the United Kingdom, such as London, Glasgow and Cardiff, against the desire of the Conservatives to toughen the legislation against illegal immigration, in particular on the application of the right of asylum.
Some carried the sign "
Safe passage,
not Rwanda
"
.
Several British media, including the Guardian and the BBC, were not invited to cover the visit to Rwanda by the Minister of the Interior.