Asylum seekers to the UK sent to Rwanda

[Dodie66]

What do you think about the governments plan to send all asylum seekers that come to the UK to Rwanda to be processed. I think this is inhumane. A lot of them have come from places like Syria, Iran etc and travelled across the channel with all the associated risks only to be sent 6000 mile to be processed. What about the cost to do this? I think it’s a big mistake

I cannot fathom why people are supporting this plan! But some of the jubilant responses to the government's latest bigoted plan cement my fears, that this government is trying to do everything to appease the 'we're not racist (but we really are) brigade!'! Shame we're not still members of the EU, I'd leave if I could but the bigots put an end to that too!

The Council of Europe issues a statement condemning Boris Johnson's plan to send refugees to Rwandan camps, which is says risks "seriously undermining the global system of international protection."

twitter.com/adambienkov/status/1514622409554472965?s=21

@Mxflamingnoravera

Why would the Rwandan government agree to this? It's crazy.

Probably because they will be paid in hard currency to set up accommodation and processing centres that will provide jobs for locals. Incoming flights will help support their airports etc etc.

Listened to a Rwandan spokesperson on Radio 4 denying that it had kidnapped someone who was flying between 2 countries and detained them.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/08/un-detained-hotel-rwanda-dissident-paul-rusesabagina

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-58604468

I am sure there will be a lot of discussion in Parliament and in the courts about this decision - and looking at the human rights record of Rwanda

Coincedentally, the US has published its human rights report today on Rwanda

rw.usembassy.gov/2021-human-rights-report-rwanda/

Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government; forced disappearance by the government; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary detention; political prisoners or detainees; politically motivated reprisals against individuals located outside the country, including killings, kidnappings, and violence; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; serious restrictions on free expression and media, including threats of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, and censorship; serious restrictions on internet freedom; substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including overly restrictive laws on the organization, funding, or operation of nongovernmental and civil society organizations; serious and unreasonable restrictions on political participation; and serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic and international human rights organizations.

www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/rwanda/

[quote carefullycourageous]@AlexaShutUp yes it has served a purpose in tersm of dsitraction.

The policy would be utterly stupid financially, but Tories are only too happy to spunk taxpayers' money up the wall on stupid contracts these days, so they could be doing it to line someone's pockets of course.[/quote]
Yes, those were my thoughts.
Distraction from #10 Police Fines.
Morally indefensible (plus ça change)
But also financially absurd. Unless lucrative backhanders ahem, 'valuable Govt contracts going to the best bidder' (aka corruption) involved.

I think they've done it to play to that section of their voters for the May elections.

Think it's a great idea

@cakeorwine

*Did you read the Daily Mail?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10716709/Priti-Patel-launches-plan-smash-Channel-boat-gangs-sending-asylum-seekers-Africa.html*

The Daily Mail - are you having a laugh?

There are more holes in this plan than Swiss Cheese.

Every Human Rights lawyer in UK will be rubbing their hands together at the thought of so many appeals. The cost will be off the scale.

I think it's important for some people who oppose this plan to realise we have a population issue, not a lack of housing issue. Something has to be done to stop people rocking up to our shores like they do...we cannot keep taking in these people...

@Spinachtastegud

I think it's important for some people who oppose this plan to realise we have a population issue, not a lack of housing issue. Something has to be done to stop people rocking up to our shores like they do...we cannot keep taking in these people...

Do you know how many refugees are in other countries?

When considering only international displacement situations under UNHCR’s mandate, Syria topped the list with 6.8 million people, followed by Venezuela with 4.9 million.[1] Afghanistan and South Sudan came next, with 2.8 and 2.2 million respectively.

Turkey continued to host the largest number of refugees with just under 4 million, most of whom were Syrian refugees (92 per cent). Colombia followed, hosting over 1.7 million displaced Venezuelans. Germany hosted the third largest population – almost 1.5 million, with Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers as the largest group (44 per cent). Pakistan and Uganda completed the top-5 hosting countries, with about 1.4 million each

@midsomermurderess

Oh, hello *@Viviennemary*, we' have, to coin phrase, been expecting you.

I know she seems to pop up on every single thread!

But I guess most people in the UK don't know these statistics.

Most people in the UK don't see the situation in other countries on the news.

It's only the war in Ukraine that's really brought war situations home to many people

Cakeorwine

I hear you but it's not a competition. Every country gives differently it shouldn't mean we have to take in and house every single person who claims to be a refugee.

@Spinachtastegud

Cakeorwine

I hear you but it's not a competition. Every country gives differently it shouldn't mean we have to take in and house every single person who claims to be a refugee.

It's not a competition - are we doing our bit or could we be doing more?

If we didn't have the Channel, would we have put up a wall just like the US did

But over 70% who claim asylum here are granted it.

I think you need to consider population density. The UK has 730 people per square mile. Turkey has 243. Ireland has 185. New Zealand has 49.
The UK was in a recent list of the most "nature depleted" countries in the world. Population density is a real issue for the UK.

Cakeorwine

It's a good question...could we be doing more?

But at what cost to our own needs? It doesn't take rocket scientist to see how much our services are being stretched and needs not being met for our own. You might think it selfish but we have to think of the bigger picture - we can't be helpful to anyone if we can't be well ourselves.

Rwanda’s population density is 1242.0 per square mile so I assume you’re also against sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

@Spinachtastegud

Re stretched services - Vote for a government that doesn’t believe in austerity, and doesn’t leave their citizens in fuel and food poverty while making sure politicians profit in the millions.

It’s the government in control of how we live, not groups of asylum seekers. It’s the government that are setting policy and making sure it benefits them and not you, all while making sure that certain branches of the media will make sure that people like you blame asylum seekers and not the government.

@Spinachtastegud

Cakeorwine

It's a good question...could we be doing more?

But at what cost to our own needs? It doesn't take rocket scientist to see how much our services are being stretched and needs not being met for our own. You might think it selfish but we have to think of the bigger picture - we can't be helpful to anyone if we can't be well ourselves.

I wonder what would happen if all countries took that attitude?

Nobody's going to Rwanda.
I reckon any court case about this is just going to be used as a vehicle to bin the human rights act and withdraw from the ECHR.
Tories have always hated ECHR and human rights in general for some bizarre reason, probably to do with believing racist lies in the Daily Mail.

It doesn't seem a very Christian thing to do. This is from a Government that prides itself on having Ministers who are proud of our Christian heritage and our British values.

@bewarethelibrarians. Yes, I am against it. I said so in an earlier post, in which I also said that we still need to have a proper dialogue about migration in this country.
We need a nuanced debate, without resorting to name calling of racists or do-gooders by either side. Our political life is so polarised now that everyone is lurching towards the extremes on every issue. This is very dangerous.

Well it doesn't change my opinion.....a boat can only rescue so many people before it sinks itself. If saying 'no more' is an issue because you don't want to appear selfish then you'll have to deal with the fact that you all sink and drown...and then you'd be responsible for something far worse imo.

@YerWanIsGettinNotions

It won't discourage anyone. A very high proportion of asylum applications are granted, contrary to belief. Reaching the UK will still be the trigger and the fact of overseas processing doesn't change that. Once it is granted, we will have to ship them all back (and be responsible for their passage in both directions, together with the effects and consequences of ill-treatment, or lack of care, during those journeys).

And the other reason people come here from other countries and don't stop in the "first safe country" is that they speak English and have family here. Why would someone claim asylum in France if they speak English, maybe have GCSEs or uk-recognised education standards, and have cousins in Leicester who want to host them, but don't speak French and know nobody in France?

In fact I believe the plan is that for those who qualify for asylum the UK government are paying the Rwandan government to set them up for a life there. No one will be coming back here. At least that's what Sky News is reporting tonight