On Monday 19th December 2022, the court delivered a verdict that the country’s policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is lawful despite setbacks that hindered the implementation of migration and economic development partnership signed between Rwanda and UK.

The agreement reached in April this year reads that the European country would send asylum seekers and migrants arriving in it illegally to Rwanda where they can start new life or be helped to return to their home countries.

The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.

The deal was criticized by various organizations overseeing migrants’ interests and some British politicians.

Their first flight to Rwanda was expected on 14th June 2022 but was cancelled at last minute after an intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

In Monday’s ruling, the court decided that the idea of having asylum claims processed in Rwanda does not break the law.

The policy, the court said, was consistent with the government’s legal obligations, including those imposed by Parliament with the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo has welcomed the verdict and reiterated the country’s commitment to help them start a new life.

"We welcome this decision and stand ready to offer asylum seekers and migrants safety and the opportunity to build a new life in Rwanda. This is a positive step in our quest to contribute to innovative, long-term solutions to the global migration crisis," she said.

UK High Court’s ruling reads that the home secretary must decide if there is anything about each person’s particular circumstances where ‘his asylum claim should be determined in the United Kingdom or whether there are other reasons why he should not be relocated to Rwanda’.

The Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo has reiterated the country’s commitment to help migrants start a new life.