Supreme Court Rejects Rishi Sunak’s Plan to Deport Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

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The United Kingdom’s highest court has rejected the government’s plans to deport people seeking asylum to Rwanda, dealing a blow on Rishi Sunak’s key immigration policy.

On Wednesday, five judges at the supreme court unanimously agreed to an appeal court ruling that found there was a real risk of deported refugees having their claims in the east African country wrongly assessed or being returned to their country of origin to face oppression.

The rejected plan, costing £140 million, aimed to deter asylum seekers arriving through small boats across the Channel. The ruling challenges Prime Minister’s Boris Johnson’s pledge to “stop the boats.”

Lord Reed, the president of the Supreme Court, cited crucial evidence from the UNHCR, highlighting the failure of a similar deportation agreement between Israel and Rwanda.

The decision follows a letter from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman accusing the prime minister of breaking an agreement to insert clauses preventing legal challenges under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

In response, Sunak stated the government would consider its next steps, asserting there was a “plan B.” Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the UK’s partnership with Rwanda as part of a broader strategy to combat illegal migration. The judgment raises questions about the £140 million expenditure on the scheme, with no detailed breakdown disclosed. Refugee charities reject the plan, emphasising the need for a fair asylum system and safe routes.

The Supreme Court’s decision is considered a victory for human rights, with stakeholders urging the government to uphold the country’s responsibility to offer sanctuary to those in need.