On Tuesday, the British Parliament approved a controversial law that allows asylum seekers to be sent to Rwanda. The Rwanda Act has been met with criticism from various organizations, including the UN and EU, who have urged Britain to reject this proposal, stating that it would violate the human rights of migrants.
Retired crime commissioner Thomas Elfgren, who has close ties to Rwanda, supports the idea of sending asylum seekers to the country. He believes that Rwanda has made significant progress since the 1994 genocide and is now a safe place for asylum seekers. However, Elfgren also raises concerns about the British model, particularly in terms of its cost and potential risks associated with wrong decisions. He questions whether Rwanda would be able to handle a growing number of immigrants and whether the system could potentially violate international asylum laws.
Elfgren suggests that more consideration should be given to addressing the root causes of migration, such as social and economic inequality and climate issues. While he acknowledges that outsourcing European asylum systems can help reduce human trafficking, he believes resources should be used to create safer routes for asylum seekers in need rather than flying them halfway around the world.
Overall, Elfgren emphasizes the importance of upholding international asylum laws and ensuring that the rights of asylum seekers are protected while acknowledging the need for measures to address migration’s challenges. A comprehensive approach is needed to tackle these issues head-on while maintaining human rights standards.