UK Home Secretary James Cleverly has signed a new treaty with Rwanda, persisting with the government’s contentious plan to deport asylum seekers arriving in the UK via means deemed “illegal.” This move comes in defiance of a recent Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Rwanda plan illegal, citing the real risk of individuals being sent back to their perilous home countries, in clear breach of international law.
Ensuring Safety for Asylum Seekers
Cleverly’s new treaty aims to address the identified risks. Under the new terms, asylum seekers will not be deported back to their home country from Rwanda if such a move would endanger them. A monitoring committee is set to oversee the treaty’s implementation, with an appeal body comprised of judges from around the world.
LGBTQ+ Concerns Persist
However, concerns continue to persist, especially among advocacy groups working with refugees and asylum seekers. Notably, there are worries that vulnerable individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ people, may find themselves in unsafe conditions in Rwanda. Surprisingly, the UK government acknowledges Rwanda’s lack of safety for LGBTQ+ individuals in its own travel advice, stating that homosexuality is “frowned upon by many” in the country.
Advocacy and Calls for Empathy
Organizations like Micro Rainbow and Rainbow Migration emphasize the potential dangers faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in Rwanda. Micro Rainbow argues that the UK government’s approach endangers those who have already experienced significant traumas. Sebastian Rocca, founder and CEO of Micro Rainbow, calls for empathy and compassion in asylum policies, urging a more humane approach.
Uncertain Future for the Plan
Despite Cleverly’s new treaty, concerns about the effectiveness of screening tools and the ultimate safety of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers persist. The government’s Rwanda plan has faced legal challenges before, and it may continue to do so. As ministers grapple with legal limitations, the fate of the plan remains uncertain, leaving asylum seekers, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, in limbo.
