French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly criticized Rishi Sunak’s proposal to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, labeling it as cynical and contradictory to European values.
Macron’s denouncement comes just days after the plan, aimed at offering thousands of asylum seekers a one-way ticket to Rwanda, cleared its final legislative hurdle.
He argued that the approach would not only be ineffective but also morally questionable.
The British Prime Minister has vowed to implement the scheme swiftly, intending it to serve as a deterrent against migrants attempting to reach the UK via small boats.
However, this move has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the United Nations, especially following the tragic deaths of five individuals off the northern coast of France while trying to cross the English Channel.
The UK currently provides substantial financial support to France for policing efforts along its coast, aimed at preventing migrants from embarking on dangerous journeys.
In a wide-ranging speech on the future of the European Union at Paris’ Sorbonne University, Mr. Macron said he did not “believe in the model… which would involve finding third countries on the African continent or elsewhere where we’d send people who arrive on our soil illegally, who don’t come from these countries.”
“We’re creating a geopolitics of cynicism which betrays our values and will build new dependencies, and which will prove completely ineffective.”
President Emmanuel Macron
However, the French President did praise the military cooperation between the two countries.
“The British are deep natural allies (for France) and the treaties that bind us together… lay a solid foundation,” he said.
“We have to follow them up and strengthen them because Brexit has not affected this relationship.”
He added France should seek similar “partnerships” with fellow EU members.
International Migration and Rwanda’s Role
Asked about the comments of Mr. Macron, Home Secretary James Cleverly said, “Migration, by definition, is international. And the solutions will by definition be international.”
However, he clarified that his comments were not directed at President Macron’s statements.
Mr. Cleverly proceeded to criticize what he deemed as “distasteful” and “lazy criticism” regarding Rwanda’s involvement in the partnership.
Highlighting Rwanda’s unique circumstances, he emphasized that the country doesn’t possess abundant natural mineral resources like some of its neighboring nations.
Despite this, Rwanda is actively seeking innovative ways to contribute to addressing significant global challenges.
Mr. Cleverly’s remarks suggested that Rwanda’s participation should be viewed positively, considering its proactive stance in finding solutions to pressing global issues.
“And we are entering a partnership with this country. And as part of that partnership, there is a transfer of money.”
James Cleverly
And Mr Cleverly said those arguing Britain should not have “a grown-up commercial relationship with African countries” are in effect saying the UK should see them “exclusively through the prism of aid recipient.”
“What message is that sending to developing countries?” he said.
Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Bill became law after weeks of parliamentary deadlock, paving the way for deportation flights to get off the ground.
It is the latest attempt by the Government to revive its plan to hand asylum seekers who come to the UK by crossing the Channel a one-way ticket to Kigali.
The deal has been plagued by setbacks since it was signed two years ago.
Critics have raised concerns about the wide-ranging reforms and proposals, warning that they could lead to a “system meltdown” and result in significant costs for taxpayers, potentially amounting to billions of pounds.
The Refugee Council has urged for a repeal of immigration laws to prevent a looming disaster, estimating that recent changes to the system could lead to daily accommodation costs of up to £17.1 million, totaling around £6.2 billion annually.
Additionally, the charity has highlighted the possibility of 115,575 asylum seekers being left in a state of “permanent limbo” by the end of 2024.
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