Asylum seekers in the UK feel “immense relief” after a Court of Appeal ruling deemed the Government’s plans to deport them to Rwanda unlawful.
Kenny Mayorga, 25, who has been waiting eight months for a decision on his asylum claim, told the Standard he “couldn’t be happier” following the ruling.
“This news brought immense relief and hope to me and countless other asylum seekers who have been living in a state of uncertainty and anxiety,” he said.
“This decision definitely acknowledges that the UK has an international and legal obligation to assess asylum claims on its own soil in accordance with established legal procedures.”
Mr Mayorga fled his home country of Nicaragua in October over fears for his safety and was placed in a hotel for three months before being moved to the Napier Barracks in Kent along with other asylum seekers. He is now waiting for a decision on his claim from a house share in Swindon.
He told the Standard: “This [ruling] also sends a powerful message to other countries that the rights and wellbeing of asylum seekers must be safeguarded within the borders of the country they seek protection from.
“Seeking asylum is not easy because we don’t ask for this, so it requires compassion, empathy, and respect for human dignity.”
On the Government’s decision to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, Mr Mayorga said: “I do believe the Supreme Court will rigorously review the case with a human rights focus and will take into consideration international legal principals.”
In a decision on Thursday, three judges overturned a High Court judgment that previously said the east African nation could be considered a “safe third country” to deport asylum seekers to from the UK.
The Court of Appeal concluded that deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda mean there is a “real risk” asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution or other inhumane treatment when they may have a good claim for asylum.
The Refugee Council said it’s “relieved” the Court has ruled that Rwanda is not a safe country, but said the ruling did not conclude that the Government’s overall policy is unlawful.
“Treating people seeking safety like human cargo and shipping them off to another country is a policy that is both unprincipled and unworkable,” CEO Enver Solomon said.
“Let’s remember that the UK made an international commitment under the Refugee Convention to provide a safe haven for those fleeing for their lives who seek protection on our soil.”
The Refugee Council urged the Government to “rethink its approach”.
Carly Whyborn of charity Refugees at Home, which connects volunteer hosts with refugees and asylum seekers, said: “Today’s decision will come as a relief to our guests and their hosts.
“We hope that the ruling will cause the Government to rethink its Illegal Migration Bill, which was defeated four times in the House of Lords yesterday.”
Laura Kyrke-Smith, Executive Director of International Rescue Committee UK, said: “By the Government’s own assessment published earlier this week, there is no evidence that these expensive deterrence initiatives will achieve their aim of ‘stopping the boats’”.
“What will work to reduce dangerous journeys... is investing the money in our own asylum system and scaling up safe routes.”
Prime Minister Rishi Suank said he “fundamentally disagrees” with the Court of Appeal decision.
He said: “Rwanda is a safe country. The High Court agreed. The UNHCR have their own refugee scheme for Libyan refugees in Rwanda. We will now seek permission to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court.”
