According to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Boris Johnson’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda “did not stand up to God’s judgment.”
In a scathing intervention, the head of the Church of England, Justin Welby, will use his Easter sermon to say that the principle of deporting asylum seekers 4,000 miles from the place of asylum is similar to “sub-fulfilling our responsibilities” and “The opposite of the nature of God.”
Welby’s intervention comes amid growing questions about the legitimacy of plans announced by Interior Minister Priti Patel in Kigali last week that asylum seekers arriving in the UK will receive a one-way ticket to the autocratic Central African state.
The government faced new criticism last night after the Observer was told that unaccompanied children would also be among those “very likely” to be sent to Rwanda.
Immigration experts say a “high proportion” of unaccompanied children arriving in the UK in small boats are classified as adults by Home Office staff. Refugee law specialist Daniel Sohege, who works for the charity anti-trafficking charity Love146 UK, said 15-year-olds were rated 22 or 23.
“This means that there is a great chance of sending children to Rwanda,” he said. “And once there, they won’t be able to re-evaluate or appeal their age ratings.”
The deal reveals that the government is completely disregarding the welfare of vulnerable people. He treats them as a human burden that will be sent to Rwanda and forgotten about Enver Solomon, the Refugee Council.
The issue of age is crucial in the assessment of asylum cases, as it affects the way in which a person will be supported, his / her access to education and even how his / her application for asylum is processed.
The government intends to send all unattached men to Rwanda by boat or truck, although many doubt the UK’s first offshore asylum center will ever happen. The UN refugee agency confirmed last night that its legal protection team is studying the text of the agreement with Rwanda to assess its legality, although officials already believe the plan is unfeasible. Others say the plans – which some Tory MPs have already criticized – will be challenged immediately in the courts, where the government is likely to be defeated.
Those sent to Rwanda have no prospect of the Interior Ministry returning them to the UK, despite confusing media reports that they will remain there only until their asylum application is processed.
Provisions for the government’s offshore asylum plans are included in the bill on nationality and borders, which has faced strong opposition in the House of Lords.
Meanwhile, Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, has expressed serious concerns that the deal with Rwanda does not provide specific details on whether those relocated to Africa will receive health care or financial support, or will be able to work while they wait. result of their application for asylum.
Solomon also said that victims of torture and trafficking may be among those relocated from the United Kingdom to Rwanda, instead of being referred to the Home Office’s framework for identifying potential victims of modern slavery. “We are concerned that there will probably be a simplified screening process, which in practice will mean that they will send potential victims of torture and trafficking, who should instead be referred to the national referral mechanism.”
Solomon added: “The deal reveals that the government is completely disregarding the well-being and well-being of many vulnerable people. He treats them like a human burden to be sent to Rwanda and forgotten. “
Welby’s intervention will be accompanied by criticism from York Archbishop Stephen Cotrell, who will use his Easter Sunday address to say how painful it was last week to “find asylum seekers fleeing war, famine and oppression from deeply troubled parts.” they will not be treated in the world with the dignity and compassion that is the right of every human being, and instead of being treated quickly and effectively here on our earth, they will be sent to Rwanda. ”
“We can do better than that,” he added.
Welby will contrast the Easter weekend with his antipathy to the government’s plans for asylum in Rwanda.
“This is a season of life and hope, of repentance and renewal,” he will say. “And this season is also the reason there are such serious ethical issues about sending asylum seekers abroad. The details are for politics. The principle must stand up to God’s judgment, and it cannot. ”
Elsewhere, anger over the way the Interior Ministry announced the agreement with Rwanda continues to boil. Amnesty International, which called the plans “horrific”, was among the organizations that were not consulted or notified in advance of Thursday’s announcement.
Instead, the interior ministry sent an email to such organizations after issuing a press release about the deal, offering a “quick talk” to discuss plans that could violate the Geneva Conventions.
The interior ministry said Rwanda’s scheme could continue through existing immigration rules, but acknowledged that the border bill would “remove barriers to offshoring … [though] these powers are not necessary for the agreement with Rwanda. “
The spokesman added that people relocated to Rwanda will have “support and care”, including “safe and clean accommodation, food, health care and amenities”, along with interpreters and “legal support for appealing decisions in Rwanda courts”.
They added: “If they manage to get refugee status, people will get full rights in Rwanda,” and said it was incorrect to assume that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children would be relocated to Rwanda.
The spokesman said: “Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with experience in supporting asylum seekers. Under this agreement, they will process claims in accordance with the UN Convention on Refugees, national and international human rights law.
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