Rwanda Commits to Adhering to Migrant Treaty Agreements
The foreign secretary emphasized that the treaty is legally binding and mentioned that Rwanda is eager to ensure the plan is successful, as they are aware that ‘much of the world is watching.’
James Cleverly expressed “a very high degree of confidence” that Rwanda will comply with the terms of its migration treaty with the UK.
When questioned by the International Agreements Committee on the treaty he signed in Kigali, the foreign secretary stated that it is designed to relocate the UK’s illegal immigrants, including asylum seekers, to Rwanda.
When asked about his confidence in Rwanda honoring the new commitments, Mr. Cleverly reassured the committee that the treaty “has a stronger legal underpinning than the MoU and agreements that others have with Rwanda, including the UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency.”
He also mentioned Rwanda’s “reputational incentive” to ensure the plan’s success, stating, “Ministers in Kigali are very keen for Rwanda to be seen as a country which is helping to solve problems, in a continent which has a reputation for exporting problems.”
He said resources are in place to deliver the promises, expressing confidence that Rwanda will fulfill its obligations. It was emphasized that the treaty will need to be ratified in Rwanda and that international judges will need to be recruited and trained.
Mr. Cleverly defended the decision to proceed with the treaty, stating the importance of sending a “credible deterrent message,” especially to criminal smuggling gangs. However, he also highlighted that the Rwanda policy alone will not prevent channel crossing.
As per the UK-Rwanda treaty, “a portion of Rwanda’s most vulnerable refugees” will be resettled in the UK, with expectations of “tiny numbers, like single digits of people.” The director general of migration and borders at Home Office confirmed that Rwanda agreed to host “something like 130,000 refugees from the region” under the original MoU.
As of Dec. 19, a total of 29,437 small boat arrivals were detected, down by a third compared to the number in the same period last year (45,572).
