Law Centre NI statement on Supreme Court ruling
Today the Supreme Court has ruled that the Government’s plan to remove asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful.
This is a welcome victory for justice, compassion, and humanity.
Refugee rights are under threat like never before. Through its Rwanda ‘deal’, the Government put itself above the law, showing a blatant disregard for protections enshrined in the UN Refugee Convention, as well as other international human rights standards.
People fleeing war, conflict, violence and human rights abuses should be treated with dignity and respect. Plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda were cruel and dehumanising and have already caused profound distress to people.
We are pleased at this decision, but much remains to be done. We want to see a system which treats everyone with dignity, and which prioritises the safety and wellbeing of those who have come to the UK seeking safety and sanctuary.
The Law Centre will now continue to urge the Government to move towards a fairer, more compassionate, and humane system. Addressing the lack of safe and legal routes for those who have come to the UK seeking asylum would be a good place to start. Otherwise people are left with no choice but to use irregular – sometimes dangerous – means to reach the UK.