UK court rules Rwanda migrant deportations are unlawful
A UK court has overturned a previous decision and ruled that deportations to Rwanda are unlawful, blocking a plan endorsed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The UK government has lost its attempt to block an appeal that may stop deportations to Rwanda© Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
Three judges at London's Court of Appeal ruled on Thursday that the UK government's plan to deport migrants to Rwanda was unlawful.
The ruling is a blow to the Conservative government and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who had backed the controversial plan as a way to reduce the number of people arriving in the country on small boats.
Rwanda policy ruled 'unlawful'
One of the judges, Ian Burnett, said that "the deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda are such that there are substantial grounds for believing that there is a real risk that persons sent to Rwanda will be returned to their home countries where they face persecution and other inhumane treatment."
The majority of judges agreed that the deportation would remain unlawful, "unless deficiencies" in Rwanda could be corrected.
The UK government wants to send thousands of asylum seekers — people who are requesting permission to stay to escape persecution in their home countries — to the small African country, some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) from the UK.
More to come…
(Reuters, AFP)