The UK will not be required to pay Rwanda millions in compensation following the annulment of the controversial asylum agreement, as determined by an international court.
The Rwandan government had sought over £100 million, claiming the UK violated the terms of the contract.
Initially established by the previous Conservative administration, the agreement aimed to have the UK finance Rwanda to accommodate asylum seekers who arrived illegally on British shores.
During a three-day hearing at the Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration, UK legal representatives argued that it was entirely reasonable for the plan to be abandoned when Labour assumed power, asserting that no further payments were warranted.
They also refuted claims that the UK had breached any aspects of the agreement.
“Rwanda is not entitled to any of the relief it seeks,” the UK’s legal team stated.
Rwanda’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, previously informed the court that Rwanda had incurred “significant costs” in preparation for the partnership, alleging that the UK “sought to walk away from its legal obligations.”
He criticized the UK for failing to notify Rwanda ahead of time about the deal’s cancellation, leaving leaders to learn about it through media reports.
Former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, introduced the initiative as a deterrent against individuals attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats.
The plan, first announced by then-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in 2022, was designed to send asylum seekers arriving illegally from safe countries like France to Rwanda for processing.
If successful, they could gain refugee status and remain in Rwanda.
The inaugural flight scheduled under this plan was halted just minutes before take-off in 2022 due to an intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), leading to a series of legal challenges in UK courts.
The initiative faced multiple legal hurdles before being ultimately terminated.
In 2024, a voluntary removals program was introduced, offering migrants whose claims were rejected up to £3,000 to relocate to Rwanda.
However, only four individuals opted for voluntary removal.
The decision to abandon the scheme was part of Labour’s manifesto commitments ahead of the 2024 general election. Upon taking office, Keir Starmer declared the initiative “dead and buried.”
In response to the court’s ruling, a government spokesperson stated that the UK had “robustly” defended its position and emphasized their commitment to implementing essential reforms aimed at restoring order and control over immigration, including reducing incentives for illegal migration and increasing removals of those without legal rights to remain.
Director of External Affairs at the Refugee Council, Imran Hussain, remarked that the scheme led to “chaos” by delaying decisions and leaving individuals trapped in the system.
He added, “The best way to achieve value for money is to establish a fair and efficient asylum system that makes prompt and accurate determinations regarding who can stay and who must return.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong