On Tuesday, December 05, 2023, the United Kingdom and Rwanda signed a new treaty on the reception of migrants expelled from the Kingdom. The agreement initiated on December 19, 2022 had not yet been signed, due to its « illegality » declared by the British Supreme Court. The project, which is due to run for five years, calls for London to pay Kigali £140 million in return, to finance development aid and the care of expelled migrants.
London and Kigali signed a new treaty in Rwanda on Tuesday, December 05, 2023, to reinstate an agreement to deport migrants arriving illegally in the UK to the East African country. The British government is relaunching this major measure in its policy to combat illegal immigration, launched in 2022, after the British Supreme Court rejected the project in mid-November, declaring it illegal as it stood. The new agreement was signed in Kigali by the British Home Secretary, James Cleverly, and the Rwandan Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta.
This partnership with the UK reflects Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people and builds on our experience of welcoming and hosting refugees and migrants from around the world.
Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Rwanda
The 43-page document is « binding » under international law. As such, it guarantees that migrants expelled to Rwanda will not risk being returned to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened. It also provides for the establishment of a « mixed tribunal with Rwandan and British judges in Kigali to ensure that the safety of migrants is guaranteed ».
Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about helping refugees. It has a long history of providing protection for those in need, welcoming over 135,000 asylum seekers who have found refuge here. I am grateful to our Rwandan partners for their willingness, dedication and commitment to further strengthen this partnership.
James Cleverly, Home Secretary – United Kingdom
According to the UK Office for National Statistics , net migration reached a record 606,000, including 46,000 illegal immigrants. An increase of 271,000 compared to 2016. The agreement, which is due to run for five years, calls for London to pay Kigali £140 million in return, to finance development aid and the care of expelled migrants.