The United Nations on Friday accused the British government of being dishonest in its plans to deport Rwandan immigrants who had come to the country illegally during a judicial visit to London a few days before the first deported flight.
A controversial new law allows asylum seekers arriving in the UK illegally to be sent to the East African country of Rwanda from mid-June.
The first flight is scheduled for 14 June.
The London High Court on Friday reviewed the project, which has been condemned by human rights groups and sought to deter the growing numbers of people crossing the English Channel illegally, according to Boris Johnson’s government.
Laura Dubinsky, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said during the visit the organization was concerned about the risk of “serious and irreparable harm” to refugees sent to Rwanda.
He added that the agency “never approved” the project.
“UNHCR does not agree with the agreement between the UK and Rwanda, despite the minister’s claims to the contrary,” he said, accusing the British government of making misleading statements.
A union and two NGOs, Care4Calais and Detention Action, filed an urgent legal appeal Wednesday to block their deportation to Rwanda with the four asylum seekers.
According to Care4Calais, about 35 Sudanese, 18 Syrians, 14 Iranians, 11 Egyptians and 9 Afghans fleeing the Taliban are among more than 130 people whose possible deportation was reported on 14 June. More than 90 affected migrants have applied to stay in the UK.
source: Noticias
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