I am disappointed to hear that the High Court has ruled that the Rwanda partnership is lawful. First and foremost, I believe that refugees deserve agency in choosing where to claim asylum. Deporting people who came to seek sanctuary in the UK to a completely different country is always fundamentally wrong. 

But the Rwanda partnership is failing even on its own terms. We know that ‘deterrence’ does not work. Instead of wasting time and resources on this cruel policy, we must uphold the rights of people to seek asylum in the UK by making more safe routes accessible; clear the asylum backlog; and ensure that people are promptly housed in safe and suitable accommodation and given the right to work. 

Advice by the Home Office, the Foreign Office and the UK High Commissioner to Rwanda all raised concerns over the suitability of this partnership due to Rwanda’s human rights record. When even our own officials acknowledge the risks associated with the partnership, nobody should be sent to Rwanda.

It is encouraging to read that the court has determined that the Home Secretary must properly consider the circumstances of each individual claimant before removal to Rwanda. In the case of the eight individuals who were targeted for removal, the Home Secretary has failed to do so. This shows that it is of utmost importance to ensure those targeted for removal have access to appropriate legal support. We cannot allow for the Home Secretary to schedule fast-track removals to avoid scrutiny. 

Today I am sending my solidarity to all those who hope to find sanctuary in the UK. I hope that one day we can welcome you with the dignity and respect you deserve. Until then I will continue to work tirelessly to hold this government accountable and I will support campaigners for a fair asylum system in any way I can.