Asylum seekers make UK legal bid for Rwandan deportations to be stopped

LONDON -- A group requesting asylum asked a U.

Asylum seekers make UK legal bid for Rwandan deportations to be stopped

LONDON -- A group requesting asylum asked a U.K. Court to stop the British government from sending them on a one way flight to Rwanda.

They are just four of a number of migrants that the British government has told they will be sent to Rwanda. According to refugee groups, the larger group comprises people fleeing Syria or Afghanistan who crossed the English Channel in small boats.

The hearing began at London's High Court. The government revealed that it had cancelled the deportation orders of three of the four individuals who brought the case. However, it stated that it would continue to fight any attempts to ground the flight.

According to a deal reached in April, Britain will send migrants arriving in the U.K. in small boats or stowaways on a one-way journey to Rwanda. The asylum applications of the migrants will be reviewed and, if granted, they will be allowed to stay in the country.

Officials from the U.N. claim that such a move is against the international Refugee Convention. Human rights groups consider the deal, for which the U.K. paid Rwanda 120 million pounds ($158million) upfront, unworkable, inhumane, and a waste British taxpayers' cash.

James Wilson, of Detention Action was one of the groups involved in this case. He said that the government was "turning blind eyes to the many clear threats and human rights violations (the policy) would inflict upon people seeking asylum."

The British government wants to differentiate between refugees who are allowed to enter through programs like those to aid people fleeing Afghanistan and Ukraine, and those who are illegally transported via dangerous Channel crossings by people smugglers.

Last year, more than 28,000 migrants crossed the Channel to enter the U.K., an increase of 8,500 in 2020. Numerous people have been killed, including 27 in November when a single boat capsized.

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