Britain’s Supreme Court on Wednesday November 15 upheld the illegality of the government’s highly controversial plan to deport asylum seekers who arrived illegally on British soil to Rwanda, regardless of where they came from.
Published on: 11/15/2023 – 11:29 am Modified on: 11/15/2023 – 11:53 am
1 minute
The senior judges therefore rejected Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government’s appeal, ruling that the Court of Appeal was correct to conclude that Rwanda could not be considered a safe third country.
The project was rejected by a British appeal court last June.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Rwanda could not be considered a safe country.
The decision is a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who faces pressure from his Conservative party and part of public opinion over immigration less than a year before the next general election.
Kigali is “challenging” the decision
Following the announcement, Kigali immediately announced that it would appeal the legal decision. “We dispute the decision that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees,” said Rwandan presidential spokeswoman Yolande Makolo.
(With agencies)