The UK Supreme Court has invalidated the UK government’s £140 million ‘cash for asylum seekers’ agreement with Rwanda.
The ruling, a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s migration control agenda, emphasized a genuine risk of erroneous asylum determinations in Rwanda, echoing concerns raised by the UN Refugee Agency.
The deal, signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aimed to assess asylum claims in Rwanda, but legal challenges and the European Court of Human Rights’ injunction halted any deportations.
The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeal’s judgment, declaring Rwanda not a safe third country due to deficiencies in its asylum system. Sunak, undeterred, stated the legality of processing illegal migrants in a safe third country remains intact. The decision intensifies pressure on Sunak to consider withdrawing from the European Court of Human Rights.
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The EU faces its own migration policy debate, as UK and Austria signed a cooperation deal on ‘third country’ asylum schemes. Germany and Italy explore similar options, challenging EU law limitations.
Despite EU Commission objections, member states pursue agreements with Tunisia and Egypt to curb Mediterranean migrant crossings. Advocates, like Oxfam GB’s Katy Chakrabortty, urge a policy shift towards safer asylum routes to prevent perilous journeys.