Asylum seekers detained in the UK have voiced fears of being deported to Rwanda, with some expressing that they would rather die than be sent there. A Syrian asylum seeker, currently held at the Colnbrook immigration removal centre, shared his apprehension during an interview with the Guardian. He highlighted his traumatic past involving torture in Syria and Libya and stressed the importance of safety. Another detainee from Sudan echoed similar concerns, fearing the lack of safety in Rwanda following a perilous journey to the UK.

The detainees also reported difficulties in accessing legal support to contest their deportation, due to a tight seven-day deadline imposed by the Home Office. This comes amid criticisms from organizations like Care4Calais which argue that many detainees from conflict zones would likely qualify for refugee status if their applications were fully processed.

The UK’s deportation agreement with Rwanda, as detailed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to deter irregular migration across the English Channel by sending asylum seekers to Kigali on one-way flights. This plan has faced various criticisms, including doubts on its effectiveness and humanitarian impact. Rwanda’s spokesperson Yolande Makolo highlighted that while the country might initially accept over 200 migrants, it is uncertain how many can be accommodated annually under this scheme.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to scrap the Rwanda deportation plan if his party comes to power, advocating for more humane solutions to address migration and human trafficking. The financial aspect of the agreement, with costs projected to reach £490 million by 2026/27 for 300 migrants, has also faced scrutiny regarding its value for money.