High court in london recently ruled on the legality of the uk government’s controversial plan to send some asylum seekers to rwanda. mohammed, an asylum seeker living in rwanda, has been waiting for the authorities to grant his asylum for almost a year. human rights watch (hrw) had previously expressed concern about the conditions in rwanda.
the ruling on the legality of the plan took place in london in late 2020. the plan is meant to act as a deterrent for people crossing the english channel on small boats. the un refugee agency and human rights watch have both raised concerns about the treatment of lgbt people in rwanda, as well as the efficiency and timeliness of the asylum procedure.
patrick uwayezu, a gay member of the evangelical church of god in africa in rwanda, is the only one in kigali which welcomes lgbt members.
the uk government published an assessment which stated that, notwithstanding some restrictions on freedom of speech and/or freedom of association, it was unlikely that someone being relocated from the uk to rwanda would face ill-treatment. the rwandan government has stated that discrimination in any form is outlawed by the constitution, and that it stands ready to offer asylum seekers and migrants the opportunity to build a new life there.
the plan was initiated by the uk government as a deterrent to stop people crossing the english channel on small boats. the un refugee agency and human rights watch have raised concerns about the treatment of lgbt people in rwanda, as well as the efficiency and timeliness of the asylum procedure. refugees such as teklay teame, who arrived in rwanda from eritrea almost 25 years ago and now runs a chain of wholesale, are examples of successful stories. mohammed, who is currently in rwanda, feels that his life is in limbo, unable to work legally due to a lack of proper papers and reliant on the kindness of friends and relatives for income.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-62834946?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA
