Britain will now fly asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, according to a new deal struck between the two countries on Thursday.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel is in Rwanda where the deal which will initially cost 120 Million Pounds according to British media reports would see some of the asylum seekers settled in Rwanda.
Under the proposal, Rwanda would take responsibility for the asylum seekers by putting them through an asylum process, and at the end of that process, if they are successful, they will be permanently settled there.
Under the deal, they would be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrollment in healthcare and social care services, the BBC quoted Rwanda’s government officials.
More than 2500 people crossed the English Channel in March this year, three times more than March last year. Britain sees the deal with Rwanda as a way of stemming illegal migration into the country. It is however likely to face stiff opposition from human rights groups in the country.
