Andy Drozdziak
The Catholic bishops’ conference has joined justice groups JRS UK and CAFOD in welcoming the Supreme Court decision against Government plans to transfer people seeking asylum to Rwanda-and urged the Government to scrap the plans completely.
Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees for the Bishops’ Conference, said: “I am greatly relieved that the proposal to send those seeking asylum to Rwanda has been ruled unlawful. This was a policy that ignored the innate human dignity of those seeking sanctuary.
“Whilst today’s Supreme Court ruling is to be welcomed, we will continue to advocate for an immigration system that places the human person at its centre. Refugees are human beings made in the image and likeness of God, not a political problem to be solved.”
Sarah Teather, Director of JRS UK, told the Universe the Government should now completely ‘abandon’ its Rwanda policy. “JRS UK has consistently opposed this cruel and unworkable policy. We now call for the Government to abandon it,” she said.
“Forcibly removing people to Rwanda would achieve nothing except to violate their basic rights, trash the UK’s reputation on the international stage, and exacerbate fear and uncertainty among those seeking sanctuary here.”
In a summary of the judgment read out by Supreme Court President Lord Reed on Wednesday, the justices found there would be a risk of genuine asylum seekers being returned by Rwanda to the home country from where they fled.
Sarah Teather underlined the continued challenges facing refugees in the UK.
“Through our accompaniment of refugees, we understand the human impact of this policy and the profound dangers it presents to people in search of safety,” she said.
“We will continue to advocate for a fairer asylum system that recognises our responsibility to offer sanctuary and builds upon the welcome extended by so many people and communities throughout the UK.
“We urge people to get involved and help us to advocate for a more compassionate system.”
Aisha Dodwell, CAFOD’s head of campaigns, condemned the Rwanda plan as ‘cruel’, and called for a new approach to ‘transform the way migrants are treated.’
“The Rwanda plan was a cruel attempt to turn away people who are seeking protection,” she said.
“We urgently need to transform the way migrants are treated. In the absence of safe and legal routes, thousands of people die each year as they are forced to take dangerous journeys to reach safety.
“As Pope Francis tells us, we must welcome people without prejudice, and focus on building bridges and not walls.”
Many campaigners welcomed the verdict. Steve Smith, the chief executive of the Care4Calais refugee charity, said: “The Supreme Court’s judgment is a victory for humanity.
“This grubby, cash-for-people deal was always cruel and immoral, but, most importantly, it is unlawful.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the ruling ‘was not the outcome we wanted’ but added that ‘we remain completely committed to stopping the boats.’
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