Why did Rwanda agree to the UK’s plan to Deport Migrants?

Context: British authorities recently deported an asylum seeker to Rwanda under a Voluntary Returns Scheme (VRS) and began detaining other migrants for planned deportations by July, following a new immigration law enacted by the UK Parliament.

UK Migrants Deportation Background

• In April 2022, the UK finalised an agreement with Rwanda to handle issues related to undocumented migration.
• This agreement involved the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing of their claims.
• Recently, the UK has deported an asylum seeker to Rwanda under a Voluntary Returns Scheme (VRS) and has begun detaining others in preparation for deportations expected by July.
• The Supreme Court initially declared the relocation policy unlawful, prompting the UK to introduce new legislation with additional safeguards that allow the deportation of asylum seekers who arrived via “unauthorised journeys” since January 1, 2022.

Voluntary Returns Scheme (VRS)

• The VRS was introduced in 1999, co-funded by the European Refugee Fund, with reintegration assistance added in 2002 to help repatriated individuals with basic needs such as housing and employment.
• The scheme offers financial assistance to migrants and failed asylum seekers who voluntarily return to a safe third country or a country to which they are admissible.
• Eligibility for the VRS includes individuals who are in the UK illegally, overstayed their visa, want to withdraw their stay application, claimed asylum, or are confirmed victims of modern slavery.
• A one-off payment is provided for those returning to countries recognized as developing by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including Rwanda.
• In 2023, 19,253 individuals were voluntarily returned from the UK under this scheme.

Safety and Human Rights Concerns in Rwanda

• Rwanda, despite economic progress, remains one of the least developed nations and is densely populated with over 13 million people.
• The Rwandan government has been criticized for stifling dissent, controlling the media and opposition, and engaging in arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment, and torture.
• Human Rights Watch has reported on the Rwandan government’s pressure on refugees, including harassment, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of critics.
• The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 90% of refugees in Rwanda live in camps, and 80% rely fully on humanitarian aid.

Rwanda’s Incentives

• The UK has agreed to provide Rwanda with development funding and cover processing and integration costs for each relocated person.
• The UK has already paid Rwanda £220 million, with the total expected to rise to £600 million for 300 refugees.
• Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame asserted that the participation in the UK’s asylum plan is aimed at giving refugees a better chance at life, rather than being economically motivated or about “trading people.”

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