On June 14, 2022, a flight that was due to take asylum seekers from the United Kingdom to Rwanda was cancelled minutes before take-off following a late legal challenge.
- Critics questioned whether Rwanda is a safe destination, and argue that the scheme breaks the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
- The flight was halted after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
- The UK government says it will arrange another flight to the African country, and insists the scheme will discourage people from crossing the English Channel.
UK-Rwanda refugee plan
- The 5-year trial will send some refugees from UK to Rwanda, to claim asylum there.
- They may be granted permanent refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a safe third country.
- The asylum policy is aimed at people who arrive in the United Kingdom through what the government calls illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods, such as on small boats or hidden in lorries, when they could have claimed asylum in another safe country – such as France.
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)
- European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) isn’t an EU (European Union) body but is part of the Council of Europe, which still counts the UK as a member.
- In 1959, the European Court of Human Rights ((ECtHR)) was established in Strasbourg, France, to enforce the rights guaranteed by the ECHR.
Council of Europe
- Despite Britain’s exit in January 2020, it still continues to be a member of the Council of Europe.
- Established in the wake of World War II in 1949, the Council of Europe (CoE) is an entirely separate entity from the EU.
- The Council (46 members) is Europe’s chief human rights organization, while the EU (27 members) is an economic and political alliance.
- The UK joined the EU in 1973, 24 years after becoming a member of the Council.
About European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
- The ECHR was introduced by the Council in 1953.
- In a 1994 resolution passed by the Council, it stated that all member states are required to “respect their obligations” under the ECHR, and that all new members have to ratify the convention within a year of joining.
- The ECHR came into effect in 1953 to safeguard fundamental human rights in Europe and to ensure that governments could not “dehumanise and abuse people’s rights with impunity”.
- As the first country to sign the convention in March 1951, the UK has a long-standing relationship with the ECHR.
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