UK's Rwanda asylum saga


Apr 14, 2022: Prime minister Boris Johnson (right) unveils plan to send asylum-seekers entering UK illegally to Rwanda, with claims decided by Rwandan authorities.
Under deal UK will pay Rwanda £140 million (€163m) per year

Jun 14: First flight to Rwanda grounded following intervention by European Court of Human Rights

Dec 19: UK High Court concludes plan is lawful

Migrants crossing English Channel 
2020   8,466
2021  28,526
2022  45,755

Oct 25: Rishi Sunak (inset) becomes prime minister, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to ship deportees to Rwanda

Mar 7, 2023: Sunak introduces Illegal Migration Bill – which receives Royal Assent in July

Apr: Home Office pays extra £100 million (€117m) to Rwanda

Nov 15: Supreme Court – highest court in UK – declares sending asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful.
Asylum seekers at risk of facing refoulement – being returned to country of origin where they could face threat to life or liberty

Dec 5: New Home Secretary James Cleverly (above) signs formal migration treaty in Rwanda.
UK claims treaty guarantees non-refoulement

Dec 6: Despite Supreme Court decision, government publishes Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill which must be approved by Parliament.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick (inset) – close ally of Sunak – resigns saying emergency bill does not override Supreme Court and ECHR challenges

Dec 12: Rwanda bill – which declares Rwanda “safe” and seeks to limit migrants appealing against being sent there – passes its first parliamentary hurdle with majority of 44 votes

            
Sources: Foreign Policy, Institute for government, Reuters 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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