Top court declares UK-Rwanda migrant deal unlawful

asylum seekers

Migrants on April 14, 2022 huddle under blankets, brought to port by the UK Border Force. PHOTO | GLYN KIRK | AFP

The UK Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that an asylum arrangement with Rwanda was unlawful, citing possibility that refugees sent to Kigali could be at risk of being returned to countries from which they have fled, and hence be re-subjected to more inhumane treatment.

In a unanimous decision, the five judges of the apex court said the Court of Appeal was right to conclude in June that there had not been a proper assessment of whether Rwanda was safe.