Almost half of UK asylum seekers facing Rwanda deportation married: Charity survey

Protesters hold placards as they gather outside the Home Office in central London on June 13, 2022, to demonstrate against the UK government's intention to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda (AFP)
Short Url
  • Afghan, Syrian, Iranian refugees set for removal under govt plans

London: Almost half of asylum seekers in the UK facing deportation to Rwanda are married, including a significant number from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Syria, The Guardian reported.

More than one-fifth also have children, the survey by charity Care4Calais found.

The study was published by charity coalition Together With Refugees, a group of more than 500 British organizations.

More than 80 percent of asylum seekers questioned in the survey 鈥� who are facing removal to Rwanda under government plans 鈥� hail from countries that the UK recognizes as legitimate refugee sources.

At least 82 percent of respondents from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria 鈥� who made up 72 percent of the survey sample 鈥� have successful asylum applications in the UK but are still facing deportation.

Two-thirds of those sampled claimed asylum on account of being victims of modern slavery or torture.

A poll released by analytics firm YouGov found that just 10 percent of the British public view the Rwanda plan as a viable strategy to deal with the UK鈥檚 migrant crisis.

Together With Refugees spokesperson and Safe Passage chief executive officer, Beth Gardiner-Smith, said: 鈥淭his scheme is not just morally wrong; it鈥檚 expensive and unworkable.

鈥淚f our government were serious about tackling smuggling and saving lives at sea, they would scrap this plan and urgently expand safe routes for refugees.鈥�

Care4Calais founder, Clare Moseley, said: 鈥淭his brutal policy will not end small-boat crossings, it won鈥檛 stop people smugglers, and it won鈥檛 keep refugees safe.

鈥淭here is a kinder and more effective option: Give safe passage to refugees in Calais.鈥�

A British Home Office spokesperson said: 鈥淓veryone in scope for relocation to Rwanda will be individually assessed, and no one will be relocated if it is unsafe or inappropriate for them.

鈥淚f an individual鈥檚 circumstances change after receipt of a notice of intent, this should be communicated to us at the earliest opportunity and their case will be reviewed.鈥�