Rwanda may loose asylums seekers deal
Asylum seekers would be denied their human rights if deported from the UK to Rwanda Rwanda, an “authoritarian state” which tortures and murders its political opponents, the High Court has been told.
Current home secretary Priti Patel is waging a legal war to defend her policy that some migrants crossing the Channel can be flown directly to the east African state for their asylum claims to be heard.
The court battle opened on Monday morning and is set to span the week, as Boris Johnson hands over to Liz Truss and Ms Patel is tipped to be replaced at the Home Office.
Raza Husain QC, representing a collection of asylum seekers in the case, told judges Rwanda cracks down on political opponents and argued the country has a sub-standard immigration system that the UK should not rely on.
“We make no bones about our submission that Rwanda is, in substance, a one-party authoritarian state with extreme levels of suveillance which does not tolerate political opposition”, he said, opening the case.
He said the country’s government “tolerates political oppression” in a “regime” which “repeatedly imprisons, tortures, and murders those it considers to be opponents”.
Mr Husain argued police violence is used to crack down on freedom of speech, while outspoken critics are subjected to “oppression”.
And he said the country has a lack of experience in dealing with asylum claims, as well as low numbers of interpreters and specialist immigration lawyers.
