Rwanda has launched formal legal action against the United Kingdom, demanding substantial financial compensation after the controversial deportation scheme was abruptly terminated. The east African nation is seeking approximately £50 million, citing the UK government's failure to properly conclude the agreement that would have seen asylum seekers processed in Rwanda.
Legal Proceedings Commence at International Court
According to reports from The Telegraph, Rwanda has initiated arbitral proceedings through the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague. The Netherlands-based court has confirmed that Rwanda began these inter-state arbitration proceedings in November under the terms of the original asylum partnership agreement, with the case currently listed as pending.
Downing Street's Forceful Defence
The Prime Minister's official spokesman has strongly defended the decision to end the scheme, describing it as a "complete disaster" that wasted significant public funds. The spokesman revealed that the programme cost taxpayers approximately £700 million while resulting in only four volunteers being returned to Rwanda.
"The truth is that 84,000 people crossed the Channel from the day the Rwanda deal was signed to the day it was scrapped," stated the spokesman. "It was never a deterrent. We will robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers, and we're getting on with the job of focusing on effective ways to stamp out illegal migration, not costly gimmicks."
Broader Immigration Context
The Rwanda scheme formed part of the UK government's broader strategy to address illegal migration, which has remained a contentious political issue for several years. The agreement would have involved sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda to have their claims processed there, rather than in the United Kingdom.
The government spokesman highlighted alternative achievements in immigration control, noting: "We've removed under this Government almost 50,000 people who were here illegally. And more broadly, the Home Secretary set out the most sweeping reforms to tackling illegal migration in modern times to remove the incentives which draw people to the UK illegally."
Financial and Political Implications
The £50 million compensation claim represents a significant financial demand from Rwanda, adding to the already substantial costs associated with the failed scheme. The legal action comes at a sensitive time for UK immigration policy, with the government implementing new measures to address Channel crossings and illegal migration.
The case development follows recent announcements about Labour's immigration reforms and planned asylum hotel migrant evictions scheduled to begin in the spring, indicating ongoing political attention to migration issues across party lines.
