Deported Migrants' U.K. Flight To Rwanda Canceled

"LONDON -- The British government Tuesday evening canceled a flight due to deport a first group of asylum seekers to Rwanda, following a last-minute intervention by a European human-rights court.

The U.K. government in April announced that it would send some migrants who arrive in the country illegally to go live in the central African country. The aim, the government said, is to discourage smugglers. The first group of asylum seekers were supposed to be flown to Rwanda on Tuesday. But in an early setback to this new policy, all seven migrants were removed from the aircraft after the European Court of Human Rights questioned whether they would be returned to the U.K. should the relocation policy later be deemed illegal.

A U.K. court is due to rule on whether the policy is legal in July.

The plan was a lightning rod for criticism. The archbishop of Canterbury and a group of fellow bishops said in an open letter that the policy "shames us as a nation." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Tuesday told his cabinet he will press on with the project.

"We will not be deterred from doing the right thing and delivering our plans to control the nation's borders," said U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel, after the trip was canceled. "Preparation for the next flight begins now."

The U.K. had said it planned to send some migrants -- mainly single adult men -- who arrive in the U.K. illegally to Rwanda. If they are granted refugee status they can stay in Rwanda. If not, they could be deported back to their country of origin or another nation that is willing to accept them. Those sent to Rwanda can't return to the U.K. The Rwandan government has received an initial payment of 120 million pounds, equivalent to $144.9 million, from the U.K. to process the migrants.

Mr. Johnson announced the plan against a backdrop of growing concern among his voter base about thousands of asylum seekers illegally entering the nation. A poll by research firm YouGov in April -- after the policy was announced -- showed nearly 60% of supporters of his Conservative Party backed the plan. Last year, about 28,500 people arrived by small boats, according to the U.K. Home Office, sharply up since 2018.

Several human-rights groups and opposition politicians questioned whether it is ethical to send people, many of whom are fleeing conflict, to the African country. Rights groups accuse the Rwandan government of using state power to intimidate, jail and eliminate opponents through assassinations -- allegations the government rejects.

Mr. Johnson hinted Tuesday the U.K. could no longer be a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights to give it more flexibility in immigration matters. "Will it be necessary to change some laws to help us as we go along? It may very well be and all these options are under constant review," he said." [1]

1. World News: Deported Migrants' U.K. Flight To Rwanda Canceled
Colchester, Max. 
Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 15 June 2022: A.10.