British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday defended the government’s controversial deal to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda, says critics To “keep an open mind” even after first The flight is banned in last Minutes by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
On the first day of A trip to Kigali – which is hosting the Commonwealth Summit this week – is also heaps praise on Rwandan President Paul Kagame and achievements of His small African country, despite widespread concerns about human rights record.
The London-Kigali scheme, which involves Britain deporting thousands of asylum seekers of Miles away from Rwanda, raised a storm of anger.
However, Johnson told reporters: “The critics need To keep an open mind about policy. “
“what critics of The policy need To understand it, I have seen a lot of loads of The criticism, is that Rwanda has gone through an absolute transformation in The last Husband of British leader said.
have conversations with Kagame about the deal and other issues, including war in Ukraine, his office He said.
Rights groups, church leaders and the United Nations have strongly decried the immigration order, which threatened to cast a shadow over Commonwealth heads of state this week. of Government meeting (CHOGM).
One of harsher opponents He is said to be the British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, who It was transferred by the British media She said it was “horrific”.
Johnson said he would talk about the advantages of The deal when he meets Charles, who he is also in Rwanda as a representative of Queen Elizabeth II at the summit of the Commonwealth, on Friday.
‘An old stereotype’
The British leader said it is vital resolve The problem of Illegal trafficking through channels of people who are laying their lives risk by gangs.”
a first airline of a small group of Asylum seekers were to take off from the United Kingdom last A week but was stopped after a last injunction from the European Court of human rights in Strasbourg.
and Britain – any left European Union last year – She said Wednesday she will introduce legislation allowing her to be ignored decisions by the European Court of Human Rights, which is not part of Bloc.
Johnson accused critics of deportation policy of based on their concerns on A perception, perhaps a stereotype, of Rwanda is obsolete now.”
Country of nearly 13 million people It was indelibly marked by the 1994 genocide but now claims to exist one of The most stable politically and economically developed countries in The region.
But in An open letter to future Commonwealth leaders of Twenty-three rights groups and civil society organizations at the summit said there was a “climate of of afraid” in Rwanda.
Commentators, journalists, opposition activists and other speakers out on current affairs criticism public Communication Policies face Arbitrary prosecutions, enforced disappearances or in times “He died in suspicious circumstances,” the letter said.
The Commonwealth of 54 countries accused – made up of especially former british colonies – of Turning a blind eye to the rights of Rwanda’s record, saying that holding the summit risked its credibility and integrity in Kigali.
The opening of the two-day summit on Friday is expected to be a struggle for leadership of The bodywhich represents about 2.5 billion people or a quarter of humanityAnd talk about it again future role and relevance.
Tell Johnson business The forum that Britain aims to create trade deals across the Commonwealth where he said, total GDP is expected to rise By 50% to $19.5 trillion over The next five years.
he is also announced that Britain will on July 6 launch a new preferential trade system for 65 developing countriesincluding Rwanda and 17 other Commonwealth member states, will be disposed of of “Useless definitions.”
Meanwhile, Johnson welcomed Rwanda’s “moral stance.” on the war in Ukraine, Downing Street office He said in Statement after meeting him with Kagami.
the two men Discuss ways to deal with the repercussions of the Russia invasion, including severe rise in Food prices that hit African countries hard.
