Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rwanda: Human Rights

Tuesday 26 April 2022 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rwanda respects the rule of law and has a strong record on economic and social rights for migrants, but the UK is concerned about restrictions on political opposition, civil society, and media freedom.
  • Rwanda welcomes refugees and is described as a safe country by the UN, with strong protection of refugee rights since 2019.
  • Rwanda does not have laws against homosexuality and prohibits discrimination, though LGBT individuals may face some discrimination, and the UK works with the government and community to improve the situation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Grady SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the human rights situation in Rwanda, particularly regarding political opposition, civil society and media freedom.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of the human rights situation in Rwanda, especially concerning restrictions on political opposition, civil society and media freedom?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Rwanda respects the rule of law with a strong record on economic and social rights for migrants. However, we are concerned about restrictions on political opposition, civil society and media freedom, regularly expressing those concerns to members of the Rwandan Government.

Answered
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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

There are disturbing reports that adults who were orphaned during the Rwandan genocide are being told to leave hostels to make room for UK asylum seekers.

Question

How does the Minister reconcile the information about displaced genocide orphans with her Government's commitment to being a force for good in the world?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Rwanda welcomes refugees with strong protection of their rights since 2019. Last month, 119 asylum seekers were sent to Rwanda by the UN, describing it as a safe country. The hon. Gentleman's points are noted.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details about displaced genocide orphans and UK asylum seekers

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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Asylum & Refugees Women & Equalities
Context

According to the Foreign Office, homosexuality remains frowned upon by many in Rwanda, and LGBTQ+ people face discrimination and abuse.

Question

What account will the UK Government take of LGBTQ+ discrimination before deporting refugees there?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Rwanda does not have laws against homosexuality and prohibits discrimination, though LGBT individuals may face some discrimination. We work with the Government and community to improve their situation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details about forced deportation of LGBTQ+ refugees

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Q4 Patrick Grady SNP
Asylum & Refugees Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Human Rights Watch reported that Rwandan authorities had arbitrarily detained over a dozen gay and transgender people, accused of not representing Rwandan values.

Question

Is the Minister seriously saying that LGBTQ+ refugees are safe in Rwanda?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Our agreement with Rwanda ensures people will be kept safe. However, Rwanda has strong economic growth and women's equality, better vaccination rates than other African countries, and lower crime rates compared to the UK.

Not addressed: Recent reports of arbitrary detention and violence against LGBT individuals

How: Changed Subject

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Q5 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Migrants & Borders Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concerns about human rights are overshadowed by the dangers posed by organized crime groups trafficking people across the channel.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that the worst threat to human rights is from organized criminals, and does she support our plan as the only solution?

Answer from Vicky Ford

I agree with my hon. Friend. Doing nothing is not an option when people's lives are at risk from crossing the channel in small boats. We need new innovative solutions and partnerships to stop this deadly trade.

Answered
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Q6 Jacob Young
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The Government's Rwanda deal is seen as a strong deterrent to those who might cross the channel dangerously.

Question

Will the Minister join me in welcoming the Government's landmark Rwanda deal, which has been acting as a strong deterrent?

Answer from Vicky Ford

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. Our £120 million investment will help Rwandans surmount barriers to growth and create jobs, benefiting both Rwandans and asylum seekers settling there.

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Q7 Lyn Brown Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Minister's statements about the human rights record of Rwanda contradict previous concerns raised by a former minister. There are also questions about media freedom.

Question

Is the reason why certain media outlets were blocked from joining the Home Secretary's trip to Rwanda because they would criticize the policy?

Answer from Vicky Ford

I have been consistent. We express concerns about restrictions on political freedom, civil society and media but note Rwanda's strong record protecting refugees. The headteacher of Afghanistan's only girls' school praised their reception in Rwanda.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reasons behind blocking certain media outlets

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Q8 Alyn Smith
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the government's policy regarding small boats in the channel and the misgivings among Foreign Office officials. He mentions the lack of support from NGOs for this policy.

Question

We think this is a disastrous policy that will not do anything about small boats in the channel, but let us put that to one side. The Minister and the Foreign Secretary must be aware of the grave misgivings among Foreign Office officials about this policy. Can they name a single non-governmental organisation that is in favour of it? Are they just glossing over the human rights concerns about the Rwandan Government? An international development partnership with Rwanda is one thing, but this is entirely different.

Answer from Vicky Ford

We are absolutely not glossing over our concerns about rights when it comes to, for example, space for political opposition, civil rights and media freedom. Indeed, I met the permanent secretary of the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in London earlier this year and made those points to her. However, to break the people trafficking model that is causing lives to be put at risk in our channel, things need to be done; doing nothing is not an option.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about naming NGOs in favour of the policy and addressing human rights concerns was not directly answered.

How: Doing Nothing Is Not An Option

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