Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Uncertainty regarding long-term safeguarding responsibility for individuals relocated to Rwanda.
Conclusion
The Home Office must also set out what steps it is taking to ensure that the mental and physical wellbeing of those who are relocated to Rwanda is secured for the long term. The agreement with Rwanda implies that the UK will have no responsibility for people relocated once they have arrived in their new accommodation, who will have no right of return to the UK. The UNHCR is strongly of the view that such responsibility does remain with the UK Government even once it has relocated people elsewhere. Given the lessons of the Australian experience, this carries a significant reputational risk for the UK, and we seek assurances that the Government will actively monitor the accommodation, health and educational outcomes achieved for those who are relocated after seeking refuge or a future in this country and details of how that monitoring will be conducted and what actions will be taken in the event of any failure to deliver safe and secure new lives. (Paragraph 67) 46 Channel crossings, migration and asylum Returns
Government Response Summary
The government details that relocated individuals will receive a generous support package and that a dedicated Monitoring Committee will provide ongoing independent assessment of accommodation, health, and educational provisions, with its terms of reference published.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
While in the UK, everyone eligible for relocation under the MEDP is asked if they wish to make representations and will have access to legal advice before a decision is made. Detained individuals are advised of their right to legal representation, and how they can obtain such representation, within 24 hours of their arrival at an Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). Nobody will be relocated to Rwanda if it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. Once in Rwanda, relocated persons will have the opportunity to make an asylum claim and be informed of the process for doing so. They will have full access to translation services and will be able to access legal support to appeal decisions in Rwanda’s courts. Those relocated will be given a generous support package, including up to five years of training, accommodation, and healthcare. The Rwandan authorities will provide the necessary support to ensure the health, security, and wellbeing of the relocated individuals. This includes safe and clean accommodation, food, healthcare, and amenities, including mental health support services, and will not be charged a fee for the access to such necessary services. This is different to the ‘offshore processing’ approach taken by Australia as under the MEDP the responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of individuals relocated to Rwanda will sit with the Government of Rwanda. While the MEDP is different to the model used by Australia and Nauru, we note that Australia’s experience of third country processing can be considered to have been successful, as part of a wider strategy, in preventing illegal maritime arrivals and preventing unnecessary deaths at sea. As set out in the Memorandum of Understanding, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Rwanda have worked together to create an MEDP governance framework. The Joint Committee, will retain oversight of the MEDP, including the continued implementation of assurances in the Memorandum of Understanding and to address potential issues that arise through the operation of the partnership. In addition, a dedicated Monitoring Committee is now in place. The terms of reference and membership of the Monitoring Committee are published at https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/monitoring-committee-migration-and-economic-development-partnership. The Committee will provide an independent assessment of the end-to-end process of the MEDP and ensure that the assurances provided in the Memorandum of Understanding are being fulfilled. This will include assessment of the accommodation, health and educational provisions provided to relocated individuals on an on-going basis.