Rwanda escalates legal battle, demanding over £100 million from the UK after the collapse of their controversial migrant deportation agreement. The dispute, ignited when Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government scrapped the deal shortly after taking office in 2024, now unfolds at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The Rwanda-UK Deportation Scheme: A Costly Collapse
The original plan, brokered by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative administration, aimed to send some asylum seekers arriving in the UK by boat to Rwanda for their asylum claims to be processed. This arrangement included financial payments from the UK to Rwanda to cover the costs of processing and accommodation.
By the 2024 general election, the UK government had already sunk £700 million into this immigration policy, designed to deter dangerous Channel crossings. Despite the investment, only four volunteers were ever relocated to Rwanda before the scheme was abruptly terminated by the incoming Labour government.
Rwanda’s Legal Standpoint
Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Rwanda’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, addressed the arbitration panel on Wednesday. He emphasized that Rwanda had established an asylum appeals chamber, set up ministerial and administrative frameworks, and prepared reception facilities—all incurring substantial expenses in anticipation of the agreement’s full implementation.
Ugirashebuja criticized the UK’s abrupt cancellation under Sir Keir Starmer, stating, “The new prime minister declared the Rwanda scheme dead and buried on his first full day in office.” He also condemned the UK for failing to provide prior notice, forcing Rwanda to learn of the cancellation through media reports.
Disputed Claims and UK’s Defense
Rwanda insists the UK breached the contract and owes the outstanding payments exceeding £100 million. Conversely, the UK government urges the court to dismiss Rwanda’s claim, asserting that both sides agreed in November 2024 that Rwanda would waive these payments—a claim Rwanda denies.
Ugirashebuja accused the UK of attempting to evade its legal responsibilities, reinforcing Rwanda’s demand for compensation.
Downing Street’s Response
Downing Street defended the decision to terminate the deportation scheme, branding it a “complete disaster.” A government spokesman highlighted the scheme’s failure to deter illegal crossings, noting that from the deal’s inception to its cancellation, 84,000 migrants crossed the Channel.
“The Rwanda scheme wasted £700 million of taxpayer money and returned only four volunteers,” the spokesman stated. “We will vigorously defend our position to protect British taxpayers and focus on effective, practical solutions to tackle illegal migration, not costly gimmicks.”
Ongoing Arbitration
Rwanda initiated arbitration proceedings under the asylum partnership agreement in November 2024. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, based in the Netherlands, now oversees this high-profile international dispute between the two nations.
