The development comes as senior judges in the UK have ruled that the Government’s first flight, bringing asylum seekers to the African country, can be made.
A Supreme Court judge denied a temporary order on Friday to halt the first flight, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, and on Monday, according to news reports, the Court of Appeal upheld that decision.
A full legal hearing on the controversial policy is expected next month.
“Regarding Rwanda, I think we have been very clear in the last few weeks so we believe all wrong, for so many different reasons” UNHCR Mr. Grandi Chief continued.
International conference
Emphasize that the UK is a signatory International Convention on RefugeesThe High Commissioner asserts that attempting to “export” the responsibilities this entails, “goes against any notion of international responsibility and sharing”.
Mr. Grandi continued to have a history of welcoming and processing tens of thousands of Congolese and Burundian refugees in the past, noting that the country does not have the capacity or infrastructure to carry out refugee status assessments. required for a case. -according to the base case.
Irresponsible
“If it were the other way around, perhaps we could discuss, but here, we are talking about a country (UK) with structures that is exporting its responsibility to another country, Rwanda. ”
Speaking in Geneva, the High Commissioner also rejected the UK Government’s assertion that the aim of the policy was to “save people” from dangerous sailing across the English Channel, from the coast of mainland Europe.
Mr Grandi said: “I mean, saving people from dangerous journeys is wonderful, absolutely wonderful, but is that the right way to do it? Was that the real impetus for this deal to happen? I do not think so. ”
Urging for more communication between the British and French governments on this matter, as the majority of refugees likely to be affected arrive via France, the High Commissioner noted that France also has structures in place to help those affected. apply for asylum.
When the policy was announced, Prime Minister Boris Johnson say The $160 million program will “save countless lives” of migrants, who often place themselves in the hands of illegal traffickers.
Legitimate roads
Mr Grandi acknowledged that despite the complicated situation, many legal avenues exist for refugees and asylum seekers to join family members already in the UK and EU countries.
“All of these need to be reviewed bilaterally between the UK and the respective EU countries; we are ready many times to give advice; that’s the way to do it,” said Mr. Grandi.
