Ministers deliberately ignored evidence that Rwanda had violated human rights when pursuing a plan to deport asylum seekers to the east African nation, the High Court has heard. The legal challenge, brought by asylum seekers, the PCS union and campaign groups, argues the policy is unlawful under the Human Rights Act and common law.
Rwanda was initially ruled out by civil servants as a potential partner for a migration deal. However, documents disclosed to the court show it was reassessed after the Foreign Office was told the prime minister was “frustrated at the rate of progress”. An extra £20m payment was made to the Rwandan government on top of the previously announced £120m in economic development funding.
Raza Husain QC, representing the claimants, told the court Rwanda is “a one-party authoritarian state that does not tolerate political opposition” and that those who dissent face police violence. He said “those observations are drawn from our own government officials”. The Home Office, however, maintains Rwanda is a “fundamentally safe and secure country”.
The first deportation flight, due to take off on 14 June, was grounded after a series of legal challenges. The court also heard that the policy’s accelerated screening process does not allow the home secretary to identify vulnerabilities or secure sufficient information on risks faced by asylum seekers.
The hearing before Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Swift is expected to last five days, with a separate claim by Asylum Aid to be heard in October. Both decisions will be given in writing at the same time.
