International
How safe is Rwanda for UK asylum seekers?
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.