Rwandan opposition deplores UK deportation deal as 'modern slavery'

A British law to send unwanted migrants to Rwanda, which passed this week after months of wrangling, has generated fierce criticism at home and abroad. In Rwanda, opponents of the longtime president say the country is unfit to host asylum seekers – while accusing the UK of outsourcing its responsibilities.

Under the new law, first agreed with the Rwandan government two years ago, any asylum seeker who travels to the UK illegally will be sent to Rwanda.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised the first flights will leave as soon as July. The Rwandan presidency, meanwhile, says it's "pleased" the plan is moving ahead.

But Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza – an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame and who was once jailed after running against him – told RFI the deportation deal equated to "modern slavery" because Rwanda was being paid to take the people the UK does not want.

Her country, Ingabire said, was not ready to shelter hundreds or thousands of asylum seekers.

"Regime fanatics are saying the country will get lots money .... but people forget that we're talking about human beings who are looking for safety," she said.

"We have problems with food security, malnutrition, poverty, joblessness, lack of housing, repression... So what will happen to these refugees?"

€700 million policy

Another opposition figure, Frank Habineza, said he disagreed with the arrangement on principle.

"Rich nations like the UK should fulfil their responsibility to host refugees and not send them to third countries," said Habineza, who heads the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda.

Read more on RFI English

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