Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024

Inside the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024: Highlighting the Grey Zones

Abstract

Following the decision of the UK Supreme Court which ruled that Rwanda is not a safe country, the United Kingdom found unlawful its government’s policy of removing to Rwanda individuals who enter the UK without authorisation. The UK government embarked on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024. This Act is a tool to respond to concerns raised in the Supreme Court decision. It enables the relocation of asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda. The Act defines Rwanda as a safe country and limits the ability of UK courts to review government removal decisions. It excludes the application of certain human rights laws in cases of relocation to Rwanda. The Act raises concerns about UK compliance with international human rights obligations. The Act also raises questions about the future relationship between the UK and the European Court of Human Rights.