Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rwanda Partnership: Legal Compatibility

Tuesday 18 October 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda are ongoing and frequent.
  • Rwanda is considered a safe country by the UK and is praised by the UN for its work on refugees.
  • Legal aid and telephone advice are available for asylum claimants, addressing concerns about fair processing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Thomson
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The UK government's migration partnership with Rwanda is under scrutiny regarding its compatibility with domestic law and the 1951 refugee convention.

Question

I am concerned about the compatibility of the migration and economic development partnership with Rwanda with (a) domestic law and (b) the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees. Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on this issue.

Answer from Gareth Johnson

The Secretary of State works closely, and has regular discussions, with the Home Secretary and other members of the Cabinet on tackling illegal migration. The migration and economic development partnership is an essential part of our strategy to improve the fairness and efficacy of the UK's immigration system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific compatibility issues were not addressed, only general benefits of the programme mentioned

How: General Benefits Statement, Focus On Other Matters

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Q2 Marion Fellows SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The United Nations refugee convention prohibits refoulement, and UK Government officials have raised concerns about Rwanda's human rights record.

Question

I welcome the Minister to his place. The UN convention prohibits refoulement. Given that UK officials warn about Rwanda's poor human rights record, how can he be confident the plan is compatible with the convention?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

Nothing in the UN convention prevents people from being transferred to a safe country. Rwanda is a safe country, it is a signatory to the convention, praised by the UN for its work on refugees and is a good partner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific concerns about human rights were not addressed

How: Asserting Safety, Praising Rwanda

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Q3 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Immigration Asylum & Refugees Justice & Courts
Context

There is zero transparency regarding the £120 million payment to Rwanda, and concerns about refugee protections are raised by international agencies.

Question

I returned from Rwanda where I saw a refurbished orphanage called Hopeless House. With zero transparency on the £120 million payment and warnings that this policy undermines protection for refugees, is the Justice Secretary alarmed?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

The situation in the channel is critical. We need to stop illegal migration, ensuring a safe route for those transferred. The policy complies with legal positions and no court has deemed it unlawful.

Not addressed: Specific concerns about transparency and UNHCR warnings were not addressed

How: Changing Subject, Asserting Legality

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Q4 Owen Thompson SNP
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

Under the government's plans, people could receive as little as seven days' notice of deportation and face challenges in seeking legal advice.

Question

People could be given as little as seven days' notice of deportation, insufficient for them to seek legal advice. Does the Minister agree with the Law Society that this undermines fair processing?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

Access to legal advice is extremely important, which is why 30 minutes of telephone legal advice and legal aid are available to asylum claimants in this country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific concerns about seven days' notice were not addressed

How: General Benefits Statement

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Q5 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The government's policy faces criticism from Refugee Action about stepping back from UK's international responsibilities on human rights.

Question

Does the Minister agree that stepping away from UK's obligations undermines protection for those at risk of persecution, as stated by Refugee Action?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

Everything we are doing complies with the UN convention on refugees, UK law, and European convention on human rights. I suggest Scottish National party Members look at the border between the UK and France for viable alternatives.

Not addressed: Specific concerns about stepping back from obligations were not addressed

How: Changing Subject, Suggestion

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Q6 Richard Thomson
Asylum & Refugees Standards & Ethics
Context

The Home Secretary's criticism of judges for mission creep is raised, particularly regarding their role in upholding international laws.

Question

How can the Minister justify the Home Secretary's criticism of Strasbourg judges for interpreting and upholding laws created by UK Governments?

Answer from Gareth Johnson

The hon. Gentleman should have more faith in our judges. Everything we are doing complies with conventions on refugees, human rights, and national law. The SNP has not provided viable alternatives.

Not addressed: Specific concerns about judicial interpretation were not addressed

How: Changing Subject, Criticism Of Opposition

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