UK; The High Court heard arguments against Britain's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, alleging that ministers deliberately disregarded evidence that the East African nation violated human rights, including the right to be free from torture .
Civil servants had previously dropped Rwanda from consideration as a potential location for a "migration partnership", the court was informed.
It was revealed that in addition to the previously announced £120 million in the Economic Development Fund, an additional £20 million was paid to the Government of Rwanda.
A legal dispute arose when the number of refugees crossing the English Channel in small boats reached a record high. The winner of the Conservative Party leadership election, Liz Truss, who will take office on Tuesday, has vowed to maintain the stance.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), organizations Care4Calais and Detention Action, as well as Raza Hussein QC testified on Monday on behalf of the asylum seekers, claiming the policy was "unlawful under the Human Rights Act and common law. "
The court was informed that "the removal of Rwanda carries a significant risk of infringing on the rights of asylum seekers to be free from tyranny and inhumane treatment."
The claimants said in written submissions that the government, including Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, and "the Foreign Office and No. 10 itself were aware, and had serious concerns over Rwanda's current and historical human rights record."
"Rwanda is a one-party authoritarian state that does not tolerate political opposition," Hussein declared in court. It is a regime that repeatedly jails, tortures and kills those it considers its political rivals.
“Police violence is used against people who oppose or disagree with government orders, including refugees. All those comments come from members of our own government.
The claims are being contested by the Home Office. According to the department's spokesman, Rwanda is a "fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers."
In an effort to prevent people from crossing the Channel, Patel signed a deal with Rwanda in April described as "the world's first settlement".
Nevertheless, the first deportation flight, scheduled to depart on 14 June, was canceled due to several legal issues.
According to documents provided by the government to the claimants, Rwanda was not one of seven countries identified as potential partners in the migration deal in February 2021.
The Foreign Office was informed that the prime minister was "disappointed with the rate of progress," the court was told, and the country was re-evaluated as a possible location.
On 29 April 2022, an advance payment of £20 million was made to enable preparations for the first evacuation flight, but the flight ultimately did not take off.
Even though the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office, Matthew Rycroft, had previously cautioned that the Rwanda deal had a high risk of fraud, there was an additional payment.
The second hearing in the case brought by the Asylum Aid organization will take place in October, according to previous statements made by Lord Justice Lewis, who sat with Mr Justice Swift.
The hearing in London will begin on Monday and will last for five days. It is expected that both decisions will be communicated in writing at the same time.
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