Home Secretary James Cleverly has today signed a new Rwanda deal, in a bid to crack down on the UK's growing illegal migration numbers.
Speaking at a press conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Cleverly said the new deal will address "all the issues" raised by the Supreme Court, when it blocked the government's plan to send asylum seekers to the East African country.
Joined by Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, the pair signed the new treaty following a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which branded the Governments policy on migration "unlawful".
Domestic legislation is also set to be put in place so the Parliament can assert Rwanda is a 'safe country' for asylum seekers who arrive illegally in Britain.
James Cleverly signs new Rwanda treaty with Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta
Reuters
Cleverly told Biruta: "Your country has made a clear and unambiguous commitment to the safety of people who come here. That has been displayed, we have seen that in practice.
"We feel very strongly that this treaty addresses all the issues raised by their lordships in the Supreme Court and we have worked very closely with our Rwandan partners to ensure that it does so."
The Home Secretary also made clear that the UK is "not providing any funding" as part of the new agreement.
The latest figures have revealed that the UK has already given Rwanda over £140million, despite have no deportation flights leaving the country.
Cleverly told media in Kigali: "Let me make it clear. The Rwandan government has not asked for and we have not provided any funding linked to the signing of this treaty.
"The financial arrangement which inevitably comes as part of the international agreement reflects the costs that may be imposed on Rwanda through the changes that this partnership has created in their systems, in their legal systems and their institutions.
“But this treaty, as I say no money was asked for by the Rwandans for this treaty, no money was provided to the Rwandans for this treaty."
The UK government has already given Rwanda over £140million as part of their migration policy
Reuters
Cleverly continued: "Dealing with migration is important and it is not a cost-free option but we regard it as the right thing to do both to protect our borders, to dissuade people from putting themselves in the hands of people smugglers and making these dangerous journeys often in unseaworthy vessels whether it be across the Mediterranean or across the Channel.
"Rwanda is helping the UK in our fight against illegal migration and people smuggling. They are doing so professionally, thoughtfully and as a partner genuinely willing to work with us on what is increasingly a global challenge."
