Rwanda Opposition Politician Criticises UK Asylum Deal

Rwandan opposition politician Victoire Ingabire has criticised the asylum deal between her country and the UK, telling the BBC that it will be challenged in British courts once more unless it addresses human rights abuses.

In an effort to address concerns about the UK’s plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, the two governments signed a new treaty on Tuesday.

As one of Rwanda’s most important development partners, the UK should push the east African country to improve its human rights record, Victoire Ingabire, a long-standing opponent of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, told the BBC.

Ms Ingabire said concrete measures the British government could ask for are the release of jailed opposition politicians, as well as journalists and social media commentators who have been critical of the government.

She added that Rwanda had limited resources to provide a durable solution to asylum seekers sent by the UK and that the new treaty wouldn’t dissuade immigrants from crossing the Channel, because those sent to Rwanda wouldn’t find the freedom they were looking for.

The Rwandan government has said it has a long history of welcoming refugees, many of whom it claims have successfully settled in Rwanda.

Source:BBC