Rwanda says UK owes $130 million over scrapped asylum scheme
Arbitration Case Filed by Rwanda Against the United Kingdom
Arbitration Case Filed by Rwanda Against the United Kingdom
Rwanda has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking compensation exceeding $130 million related to a terminated asylum agreement.
The East African nation submitted a case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, alleging the UK breached the terms of a "migration partnership" established in 2022. Under this agreement, the UK was to provide financial compensation to Rwanda for accepting asylum seekers and immigrants who had entered the UK unlawfully.
Arbitration Case Filed by Rwanda Against the United Kingdom Rwanda has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking compensation exceeding $130 million related to a terminated asylum agreement.
The Conservative government introduced the agreement, but it was annulled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer upon his assumption of office in 2024. Rwanda claims it was willing to waive further payments if new financial terms were negotiated following the treaty's termination. However, according to Rwanda's arbitration filing, such negotiations did not occur.
Rwanda also alleges that the UK failed to fulfill a commitment to resettle vulnerable refugees with complex needs already residing in Rwanda.
Prior to its cancellation, the treaty faced multiple legal challenges. The UK Supreme Court determined that Rwanda was not a safe country for asylum seekers, stating that transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda would violate both domestic and international laws.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
