AYS News Digest 27.1.23: Rwanda deportation notices served to vulnerable people
33 lives lost so far this year in the Mediterranean // 100 UK organisations seek change for asylum seeking children // suggested reading and watching
FEATURE
Rwanda deportation notices served to vulnerable people
213 Following the court decision in December last year, deportations from the UK to Rwanda are not illegal. Since then over two hundred people have been served deportation notices.
Full details about the changes in UK immigration policy can be read in this AYS Special.
Care4Calais, one of the organisations challenging the deportations, has revealed that close to 40% of the people they are helping are married, and 13 are women, despite the Rwanda policy supposedly being only for single men. Of the 213 people who are receiving legal representation from Care4Calais, 66% are showing indications of being victims of torture and modern slavery.
“People who have suffered the horrors of war, torture and human rights abuses should not be faced with the immense trauma of deportation to a future where we cannot guarantee their safety.” Care4Calais
The suspicious death of a Rwandan journalist and Youtuber who was critical of the government should give even more reasons to halt this scheme.
UNITED KINGDOM
100 UK organisations seek change for asylum seeking children
This comes as the UK remains in the spotlight for children going missing, as reported in this News Digest. Now 100 organisations have written to the Prime Minister calling for other children to be cared for by the authorities’ child services. Children, whatever their immigration status, should be cared for within the framework of child services, and not housed alone in hotels.
“We request the end to this practice immediately with a commitment to an end date after which these practices will not be revived and an urgent independent inquiry given these significant matters of public concern following the reported failures to protect vulnerable children from harm.” Joint letter to the Government
SEA and SAR
33 lives lost so far this year in the Mediterranean
As Sea Eye 4 embarks on its 11th mission of the year, the continued need for rescue ships is evident as at least 33 lives are known to have been lost at Europe’s border. The reflection on these numbers comes as Seabird 2 was able to fly over the Libyan search and rescue zone again, the first time since March 2022. The plane was able to spot a vessel in distress with Geo Barrents was able to assist — the passengers numbered 69, including two five year old girls.
WORTH READING and WATCHING
The commonality of triggering events in the lived experiences of SOGIESC asylum seekers
UNHCR Representative in Iraq gives background on the situation in Kurdistan
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