How safe is Rwanda for UK asylum seekers?

Author: Annet Nabakooza

• 2023-01-12 05:38:00

Ever since the United Kingdom and Rwanda announced arrangements, in April 2022, to transfer asylum seekers to Kigali, Western media – especially The Guardian – started a negative publicity campaign to thwart the deal.

Some detractors argued that the arrangement was controversial and questioned its legality. But the UK's High Court ruled that it was lawful. The deal was backed by ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his successor Liz Truss and current leader Rishi Sunak, along with most of the ruling Conservative Party.

All people who wish the asylum seekers well see this transfer process as a humanitarian act.

When one listens to the concerns raised about the safety of the migrants, Rwanda is demonized as almost hell on earth where the asylum seekers will be killed or quarantined in a kind of harsh prison environment probably similar to Guantanamo bay or UK’s notorious "Monster Mansion." 

The negative campaign is mainly led by so-called rights groups, activists and lawyers whose only focus is the money given to Rwanda that would otherwise have gone into their pockets to “arrange settlement in the UK” for the asylum seekers.

The 120-million pound ($156m) scheme will save countless lives from human trafficking and disrupt the business model of human-trafficking gangs.

When one pays attention to the misleading content of Western media about the asylum deal, it is easy to find out that the crux of the matter is on the cost of hosting the asylum seekers in Rwanda. The rest of the claims about their safety are meant to scare them to resist relocation, so that the cartels involved in smuggling and ‘advocating’ for illegal immigrants can continue.

What plan does Rwanda have for the asylum seekers?

The UK asylum seekers will not be accommodated in make-shift tents or refugee camps. They will reside in a hotel facility known as Hope hotel located in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. The facility is located in a secure environment, where they will be free to visit any other areas they wish.   

Each room in the hotel is self-contained with twin bedrooms, fitted with mosquito nets and other sanitary necessities. Each floor has a ‘business’ hub where the asylum seekers can use the internet to connect with their friends and relatives. Each person will be given a daily allowance to cater for food and other essential necessities. Those who fall sick will have access to quality medical care.

The money given to Rwanda, which is hyped by detractors as a lucrative deal, will be used on providing accommodation, meals, medical care and other facilities meant to ensure the asylum seekers enjoy dignified living conditions. 

Is Rwanda an insecure country?

In June 2022, after Rwanda successfully hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit (CHOGM), former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, called on critics of the UK-Rwanda asylum plan to visit Rwanda and see how the country is “really going places.”

Talking to the press after the trip to Rwanda, Johnson said that he was shocked by some of the coverage in the UK media about Rwanda, adding that he saw an opportunity for both countries to make progress together on very difficult issues.

Those who paint a picture of Rwanda as a country where asylum seekers are likely to die because of “human rights violation”, have not been to Rwanda or are simply driven by hate and profit to tarnish the image of the country.

To date, Rwanda offers safety and security to over 130,000 refugees and has welcomed migrants from other countries including Libya and Afghanistan. Rwanda gave them a chance to build a new life, through education, training, and employment opportunities.

In 2018, Rwanda was ranked the second safest country in Africa by the 2018 Gallup Global Law and Order report.

In 2017, Gallup's Law and Order Index had ranked Rwanda among the safest countries globally that, provide a conducive atmosphere to people who walk alone at night.

Rwandans are hospitable people. Their country has an open door policy towards foreigners who want to settle. A number of foreigners who visit have ended up staying, making Rwanda their new home.