Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame mentioned Tuesday {that a} controversial take care of Britain to soak up migrants may very well be prolonged to different international locations because the asylum system is “damaged.”
Kagame, who’s to host the Commonwealth summit in Kigali this week, mentioned he believed the British deal might nonetheless go forward regardless of being blocked by the European Courtroom of Human Rights.
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Britain has wished to ship some migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda, in a proposal criticized by the UN refugee company, rights teams and British church leaders.
Earlier this month, the primary flight carrying asylum seekers was cancelled following a European court docket ruling.
However Rwanda’s veteran president informed the Qatar Financial Discussion board: “I feel the settlement continues to be on and could also be carried out as effectively.”
Kagame mentioned Rwanda has been internet hosting greater than 100,000 refugees for many years, “so we’re not new to this downside.”
“In truth most Rwandans have skilled being a refugee sooner or later of their lives. We all know what it means and we’re doing this for the appropriate causes.”
Kagame highlighted his nation’s expertise in giving “secure haven” to greater than 1,000 folks from Libya with assist of the UN Excessive Commissioner for Refugees.
“The association with the UK is basically linked to that have. There is no such thing as a doubt that the asylum system is damaged and it wants revolutionary options and we’re glad to be contributing to these options.”
He added that when Britain approached Rwanda, “we talked about it, we checked out all of the deserves and thought it was one thing we might attempt to assist out on as we have now finished prior to now.”
Kagame mentioned the mannequin may very well be used with different international locations.
“We have to attempt one thing new. What has been in place has not labored very effectively and that’s the reason individuals are complaining about all types of issues and we’re seeing elevated migration.”
“We have to actually take a brand new take a look at the issue.”
Kagame mentioned different options had been attainable however insisted “the issue has been operating for a very long time and hasn’t been sorted out.”
Rwanda will host the Commonwealth summit on Friday and Saturday, and Kagame praised the 54-nation group.
He mentioned it helps “direct consideration to challenges” going through smaller, growing international locations, and that there could be “significant” conferences on the summit.
Learn extra:
Explainer: Why are asylum seekers in UK being despatched to Rwanda?
Prince Charles calls UK’s Rwanda migrants coverage ‘appalling’: Stories
UK migrant flight to Rwanda grounded as European Courtroom steps in
