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Defence Secretary to Visit Israel, Palestine

He reiterated UK’s support to Israel’s right to defence, but pointed out that “it is important their fight against Hamas remains within international law.”…reports Asian Lite News

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will push for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Palestinians faster – including by sea directly into Gaza – when he visits Palestine and Israel this week, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

During the trip, Shapps will discuss options with leaders to provide civilians in Gaza with more aid and how the UK can support the Palestinian Authority, as well as efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

He will also discuss progress in recovering hostages – including a number of Britons – who were taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks.

With Palestinian civilians experiencing a growing humanitarian crisis, the Defence Secretary will address options for providing Gaza with more medical and humanitarian aid, including potential routes via land, sea, and air. To date, four RAF flights carrying over 74 tonnes of aid have landed in Egypt with aid bound for Palestinians.  

“My visit this week is an important opportunity to discuss efforts to accelerate the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance into Gaza and efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages,” Shapps said. “We are working to find the best way to get aid and support to those in desperate need in the quickest and most direct route. That includes options by land, sea and air.

“We have deployed an extra 1,000 military personnel in the Middle East and our forces are there to support the humanitarian aid effort and help in stabilising the area,” he added.

He reiterated UK’s support to Israel’s right to defence, but pointed out that “it is important their fight against Hamas remains within international law.”

Meanwhile in Palestine, the Defence Secretary is expected to meet the Interior Minister of the Palestinian Authority, General Ziad Hab Al-Reeh, to address the urgent need for measures to improve security for Palestinians in the West Bank.  

In Tel Aviv, the Defence Secretary will meet Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to address the current security situation and Israel’s next steps. The UK has made clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against terror, restore its security and bring the hostages home, but it must abide by international humanitarian law and take all possible measures to protect civilians.

Since Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 October, the UK has increased its military presence in the region in order to support contingency planning, monitor the evolving situation, and to be ready to react and respond to regional threats. 

This included the deployment of a Royal Navy task group to the eastern Mediterranean, including RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines. In support of the ongoing hostage rescue activity, the UK Ministry of Defence is also conducting unarmed surveillance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including operating in airspace over Israel and Gaza.

In total, the UK has deployed an additional 1,000 personnel to the Middle East, bringing the total number of Armed Forces personnel deployed to the region to around 2,500 – including those deployed for counter-Daesh operations, training, and maritime security. 

Last week, the Defence Secretary also announced that HMS Diamond is deploying east of Suez to join HMS Lancaster on Operation Kipion, the UK’s longstanding maritime presence in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, following increasing concerns about the security of important maritime trade routes.

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Heavy Rainfall Prompts Flood Warnings Across UK

Low-pressure systems are expected to bring wet and windy conditions, displacing recent cold weather with frosts and snow…reports Asian Lite News

The UK is facing weather warnings and an increased risk of flooding as forecasters caution about heavy rainfall and potential travel disruptions.

Over 20 flood warnings are in effect in western England, with the Met Office anticipating up to 80mm of rain in certain areas.

The concern is compounded by saturated ground and melting snow, heightening the flood risk. Neil Armstrong, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, issued severe weather warnings for rain across the UK, particularly in the west and eastern Scotland, where up to 100mm of rain could accumulate.

The warnings cover southwest England, the Midlands, northern England, Scotland, most of Northern Ireland, and south Wales until Thursday evening.

Low-pressure systems are expected to bring wet and windy conditions, displacing recent cold weather with frosts and snow.

A second low-pressure system will bring additional weather fronts on Friday and Saturday morning. The RAC motoring group advised caution on flooded roads, urging drivers to avoid risking safety and expensive repairs.

As the weather unfolds, a brief calmer spell is anticipated in the southern UK on Saturday afternoon, though showery rain will persist in the north, according to the Met Office.

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Indian High Commission in UK Honours Ambedkar

Baba Saheb was a prolific student, earning doctorates in economics from both Columbia University and the University of London. In 1956…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian High Commission in the UK organised a memorial event to commemorate the 68th Parinirvan Divas of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar on Wednesday.

The event was organised in association with the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddist Organisation UK (FABO) at the Ambedkar Hall, India House, Aldwych in London.

“The Parinirvan Divas of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar is a solemn day of remembrance of a visionary leader, social reformer and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr Ambedkar’s deep sense of justice and his unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, guided the framing of a Constitution that not only laid the foundation for a democratic India but also aimed at dismantling age-old social hierarchies. Dr Ambedkar’s contributions…extend far beyond the drafting of the Constitution…He recognized that education could serve as a powerful equalizer, breaking down barriers of caste, and fostering a sense of self-worth among the marginalized,” Acting High Commissioner of India to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, said at the commemoration event.

Born on April 14, 1891, Baba Saheb Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination towards Dalits and supported the rights of women and workers.

Also regarded as the architect or father of the Indian constitution, Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956.

Baba Saheb was a prolific student, earning doctorates in economics from both Columbia University and the University of London. In 1956.

He led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the main water tank of the town.

On September 25, 1932, an agreement known as the ‘Poona Pact’ was signed between Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya.

By virtue of the pact, the depressed class received 148 seats in the legislature, instead of the 71 as allocated earlier.

Ambedkar was also one of the seven members of the committee that drafted the Constitution after independence. In 1990, he was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour. (ANI)

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Rishi’s Rwanda Plan Hits Snag as Minister Quits

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick expressed the need for “stronger protections” to avoid continuous legal challenges that could potentially paralyse the asylum scheme…reports Asian Lite News

UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has resigned, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s emergency Rwanda legislation, stating it “does not go far enough” to provide the necessary protections. The proposed bill, aimed at addressing challenges in sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, falls short of meeting the expectations of some members on the Tory right.

In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Jenrick expressed the need for “stronger protections” to avoid continuous legal challenges that could potentially paralyse the asylum scheme.

Jenrick said the prime minister had “moved towards my position” on the emergency legislation, the BBC reported. Despite the prime minister moving towards Jenrick’s position, he deemed the currently proposed legislation insufficient for success, labelling it a “triumph of hope over experience.”

Prime Minister Sunak responded, expressing disappointment in Jenrick’s resignation and asserting that completely ousting the courts would jeopardise the entire scheme. Sunak emphasised Rwanda’s stance on not accepting legislation that could breach international law obligations.

The government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda aims to discourage illegal crossings of the English Channel in small boats. However, legal challenges have consistently delayed the implementation of the scheme, and as of now, no asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda from the UK.

Jenrick, a key ally of Prime Minister Sunak, considered the emergency legislation as the “last opportunity” to demonstrate the government’s commitment to halting small boat crossings. His resignation is a setback for Sunak, particularly as the government seeks to address migration issues.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper characterised Jenrick’s resignation as indicative of chaos within the Tory party and a collapse of Sunak’s leadership. There are speculations among senior figures that Sunak might face a confidence vote from his own MPs, reflecting a challenging political landscape within the Conservative Party.

Reports of Jenrick’s resignation emerged after the government published a draft bill responding to concerns raised by the UK’s Supreme Court. The court had recently ruled the initial plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as unlawful. The draft legislation instructs courts to disregard specific sections of the Human Rights Act, attempting to circumvent the Supreme Court’s judgment. It also directs courts to overlook other British laws and international rules, such as the Refugee Convention, hindering deportations to Rwanda.

Despite these measures, the bill falls short of the desires of some Tory MPs, including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman. She and her supporters had called for a more extensive override, including the entire Human Rights Act, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Refugee Convention, and all other international laws. The bill grants ministers the authority to ignore emergency orders from the European Court of Human Rights but stops short of dismissing the entirety of the ECHR.

The One Nation group, comprising over 100 Tory MPs, cautioned against overriding the ECHR, considering it a red line for many Conservatives. While cautiously welcoming the government’s commitment to international obligations, the group expressed concerns about the bill’s practicalities and sought legal advice.

The draft legislation acknowledges potential incompatibility with the ECHR, leaving room for legal challenges. This highlights the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the government’s strategy to address migration issues and underscores the ongoing internal debates within the Conservative Party.

Rwanda currently hosts more than 135,000 people seeking safety and protection and has a track record of providing that protection and supporting people in thriving in their country.

Sunak said that the “endless scourge” of illegal migration is costing the UK billions of pounds and costing innocent lives, which is why it is important for his government to make it clear once and for all that “it is Parliament that should decide who comes to this country, not criminal gangs”.

“Through this new landmark emergency legislation, we will control our borders, deter people taking perilous journeys across the channel and end the continuous legal challenges filling our courts,” the Prime Minister said.

“And we will disapply sections of the Human Rights Act from the key parts of the Bill, specifically in the case of Rwanda, to ensure our plan cannot be stopped,” he added.

Underpinned by the Treaty, the law will prevent UK courts and tribunals from delaying or preventing a person’s removal to Rwanda, on the grounds that they are at risk of being removed to an unsafe country.

The bill will also make clear that the UK Parliament is sovereign, and the validity of any Act of Parliament is unaffected by international law.

ALSO READ-UK Signs New Rwanda Treaty to Revive Asylum Plan

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‘Protect 50-over cricket at all costs’

Tammy Beaumont shines as England thrash New Zealand by 46 runs.

Tammy isn’t a member of the England T20I team, having played the format internationally two years ago and is stuck at 99 caps….reports Asian Lite News

Amidst the proliferation of franchise T20 leagues in the world, England opener Tammy Beaumont has called for protecting the 50-over format of the game, especially from a women’s cricket perspective. The future of 50-over format has been a subject of huge debate, despite the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup happening successfully in India.

“We see the men’s game talking about 50-over cricket: ‘is it even worth doing?’ Well, if only four nations are playing Test cricket in women’s cricket, then we have to protect 50-over cricket at all costs. “I think everyone would love to have loads of Test-playing nations and play big Test series but, at the moment, that’s not a reality.”

“At the same time, if you’re just a Test match player and you play two Tests a year, you’re not playing much cricket. Hopefully we can keep and protect all formats of cricket and not just jump on the wave of T20 and leave everything else behind,” said Tammy on ESPNCricinfo’s Ladies Who Switch podcast.

Tammy is currently in Mumbai as a member of England’s squad for the four-day Test against India happening from December 14-17 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, with the country set to host a women’s Test after nine years. Tammy, who has scored 3650 runs in 109 ODIs, further believes it is crucial for women’s cricket to take care of all three versions of the international game.

“The more the game goes on, I think the more it’ll diversify and there’s more talent in every country, so now you can almost field very different teams depending on the format. I just hope that other formats outside of T20 aren’t left behind because that’s a real issue that has happened in the men’s game.”

“One of the few good things about the women’s game, being quite a long way behind the men’s game still, is that we can learn from the mistakes of the men’s game. The WPL and all the franchise leagues, and the investment, and the amount of money that has come into the women’s game are absolutely amazing and some might say overdue, but also I think we need to protect where the game’s come from.”

Tammy isn’t a member of the England T20I team, having played the format internationally two years ago and is stuck at 99 caps. The right-handed batter signed off by saying she will continue to put in consistent performances, while leaving the selection question to the people in power.

“That’s up to the selectors. They’ve got a good idea of what their World Cup team might look like and you’ve just got to keep putting your hand up and churn out runs and put in match-winning performances.”

“At the same time, you can’t control everything. There’s so many good T20 players in England now, particularly opening the batting. Everyone’s putting their hand up to try and have a go in the powerplay. If I got an opportunity it would be amazing but at the same time, just keep going.”

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‘G7 Requires Support of S. Korea and Australia’

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (R) speaks during a meeting with Uzbek scholars and experts at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 3, 2023, in this photo released by the foreign ministry.) (Yonhap/IANS)

The G7 consists of the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, Yonhap news agency reported…reports Asian Lite News

Seoul’s top diplomat on Wednesday urged the need for democratic and advanced countries like South Korea and Australia to support and cooperate with the G7 economic powers.

Foreign Minister Park Jin made the remarks at a conference hosted by the NEAR Foundation, an independent think-tank specialising in Northeast Asia, calling on “advanced democratic countries” to play their roles so that the international society moves toward the path of freedom, democracy and other universal values.

“Since its launch, the Yoon Suk Yeol government has expanded its international role and responsibility as the world’s eighth country in terms of its status and power on par with the advanced G7 countries,” he said.

“The G7 requires the participation and support of countries like South Korea and Australia, which have faithfully accomplished democracy and developed into advanced economies,” he added.

The G7 consists of the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, Yonhap news agency reported.

He also stressed that South Korea is in an ideal position as a “bridge” country between developed and developing nations across the world.

“South Korea is in the ideal position to play the role of a bridge between the Global North and the Global South, as well as the Global East and the Global West,” he said.

At the conference, Richard Haass, president emeritus of the US Council on Foreign Relations, stressed the need for democratic countries to set rules that push back against “cyber interference” in their internal affairs, noting Taiwan’s presidential election next month, South Korea’s parliamentary election in April and Washington’s presidential election in November next year.

“It is in our collective self-interest to figure out how it is we protect our democratic processes and push back against those — Russia, leading among them, but also others, like North Korea and China — who would interfere with them,” he added.

NSAs to meet in Seoul

The National Security Advisers of South Korea, the US and Japan will meet in Seoul this weekend to discuss trilateral cooperation on North Korea, and other regional and global issues, the Presidential office said on Wednesday.

The meeting between National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong and his US and Japanese counterparts, Jake Sullivan and Takeo Akiba, respectively, will be held on Saturday in line with an agreement reached by President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their Camp David summit in August, Yonhap news agency reported.

The three sides plan to have “in-depth” discussions on ways their countries can work together trilaterally on regional security issues, including North Korea, global issues and economic security, the Presidential office said in a press statement.

On Saturday, Cho and Sullivan will lead the inaugural session of the Next Generation Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue, which Yoon and Biden agreed to establish during their bilateral summit in April.

On Friday, Cho will hold bilateral meetings with Sullivan and Akiba to discuss issues of mutual interest.

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Britain Makes it Tougher for Indians to Work in UK

Tougher rules were announced for students bringing dependents to the UK. Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring their partners or children…reports Asian Lite News

An estimated 300,000 non-Britons – many of them Indians – will be affected by the British government on Monday raising the bar for people eligible to apply for skilled worker visas for the United Kingdom. The minimum salary that an applicant must now command is 38,700 pounds, up from 26,000 pounds.

“Enough is enough,” said Home Secretary James Cleverly in the House of Commons. The policy is designed, he added, to reduce net migration to the UK. Net migration – the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK and the people leaving – was 745,000 in 2022 and has become deeply unpopular with Britons across the board.

One of the main arguments for exiting the European Union (EU) was to control immigration – which compulsory free movement of people in the EU could not prevent. This has been defeated by people swamping the UK from other parts of the world, including significantly from India.

Those coming on health and social care visas, mostly nurses, will, however, be exempt from the higher salary threshold. They will not, though, be permitted to bring dependents, namely their partners and children, with them. Cleverly stated this will “end the abuse of the Health and Care Visa”. Nurses in the UK also come from India as well as from other parts of Asia, Africa. and the West Indies.

Cleverly asserted: “Approximately 120,000 dependents accompanied 100,000 care workers and senior care workers in the year ending September 2023. Only 25 per cent of dependents are estimated to be in work, meaning a significant number are drawing on public services and not helping to grow the economy.”

Earlier this year, tougher rules were announced for students bringing dependents to the UK. Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring their partners or children.

Cleverly also indicated that the health surcharge payable by foreign job seekers will rise by 66 per cent – from 624 pounds to 1,035 pounds.

Without criticising the move, the opposition Labour party’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper maintained the new proposals are “an admission of years of total failure by this Conservative government”.

She slammed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak by saying he is “clearly veering” without “steering” and is being “pushed around all over the place”.

The Scottish National Party spokesperson said Cleverly’s pronouncement will be judged on whether it’s “pandering to the right wing of his party”.

The chair of the Independent Care Group warned: “I think we are going to find more businesses fail, care homes closing.”

It appears post-study work (PSW) visas available after finishing a masters degree in the UK will not as yet come under the new guidelines. This will come as a relief to Indian students, who numbered 120,000 in 2021-22.

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Poland Seeks Reinstatement of EU Curbs on Ukrainian Truckers

Ukraine’s border service said on Monday that the first 30 empty lorries had driven through a newly opened Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv crossing on the Ukrainian-Polish border…reports Asian Lite News

Poland is set to call for the European Commission to reinstate restrictions on Ukrainian trucks arriving at the country’s border, the government announced.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will demand that the permit system for Ukrainian trucks passing through and arriving in Poland should be restored, in view of a month-long protest at the border, reports Xinhua news agency.

Polish drivers have been blocking border crossings since November 6, complaining that their business has been undercut by Ukrainian firms.

They want the European Union (EU) to reinstate commercial permits for Ukrainian companies to operate in the bloc, which were waived soon after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

The drivers also call for the suspension of operating permits for Ukrainian haulage firms, which were established after the beginning of the conflict.

“We will very strongly and unequivocally demand the restoration of transport permits for Ukrainian drivers,” Morawiecki told reporters.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s border service said on Monday that the first 30 empty lorries had driven through a newly opened Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv crossing on the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Kiev hopes this will provide some relief, with Polish driver protests blocking other land corridors.

The waiting time on Monday at the Hrebenne crossing was 10 days, with around 900 trucks stuck in a 70-km queue, the Polish Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, around 520 trucks were waiting in another 16-km-long queue at the Dorohusk crossing, with a five-day clearance time, according to the police in Chelm, a city in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine.

ALSO READ-Cameron Heads to US to Reaffirm Ukraine Support

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Cameron Heads to US to Reaffirm Ukraine Support

Funding allocations are part of the UK’s overall £127 million of humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region in 2023 to 2024, as announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June…reports Asian Lite News

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron will travel to the US today to reaffirm both the strength of London’s relationship with Washington and its unwavering support for Ukraine fight against Russia.

He will also discuss the Middle East, getting humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Gaza and how the UK and US can work towards enabling a long-term two-state solution which allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace, the UK Foreign Office said in a statement.

“The UK and the US are deeply bound by a shared mission to defend the values that provide security and prosperity for us all,” Cameron said. “That is why we remain unwavering in our support of Ukraine. If we allow Putin’s aggression to succeed, it will embolden those who challenge democracy and threaten our way of life. We cannot let them prevail.” 

He added: “We also stand united in the Middle East, working together to ensure long-term security and stability in the region, and in responding to the challenges posed by China.”

In his first visit to Washington as Foreign Secretary, David Cameron will discuss how the enduring partnership between the UK and US is delivering security and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic and upholding democratic values where they are threatened around the world.   

“It comes as the UK will target military suppliers who are propping up Putin’s war machine through a series of sanctions. Foreign suppliers exporting equipment and parts to Russia are among dozens of individuals and groups to be sanctioned to starve Putin of the resources he needs for his illegal war in Ukraine,” a statement read.

Ahead of the visit, Cameron has announced a new winter humanitarian response package of £29 million for Ukraine and will bolster support with a further £7.75 million for humanitarian activities that will focus on the needs of the most vulnerable in Ukraine, such as women, girls, older people and people with disabilities.

Funding allocations are part of the UK’s overall £127 million of humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region in 2023 to 2024, as announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June.   

Cameron will hold an intensive round of diplomatic talks with his us counterpart Antony Blinken to reaffirm international cooperation and support for the Ukrainian people as they approach two years of battling Russian forces.    

While in Washington, he will also meet key Congressional figures on both sides of the House.

ALSO READ-UK Foreign secretary Cameron to visit US

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UK Signs New Rwanda Treaty to Revive Asylum Plan

UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said the Treaty is a crucial step forward in UK’s commitment to stopping the boats and saving lives…reports Asian Lite News

UK Home Secretary James Cleverly has signed a joint treaty with Rwandan Foreign Minister, Dr Vincent Biruta, strengthening the UK and Rwanda’s Migration and Economic Development Partnership and directly addressing the concerns of the Supreme Court.

The agreement is part of the government’s plan to ensure that illegal migrants can be lawfully relocated to Rwanda under the government’s ambition to stop the boats – ensuring that people know that if they come to the UK illegally, they cannot stay here, UK Home Office stated.

Following further positive discussions between the two countries after the Supreme Court judgment, and building on months of work between the two countries, the Treaty responds directly to the conclusions of the Supreme Court and presents a new long-term solution, according to Home Office.

“This is a crucial step forward in our commitment to stopping the boats and saving lives,” Cleverly said. “Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees. It has a strong history of providing protection to those that need it, hosting over 135,000 asylum seekers who have found sanctuary there. I am grateful to our Rwandan partners for their willingness, dedication and commitment to strengthening this Partnership further.”

He added: “The Supreme Court recognised that changes may be delivered which would address their conclusions – this Treaty responds directly to that. We remain steadfast in doing everything we can to stop to illegal migration, and our wider, ongoing work operationally and internationally has led to crossings coming down by a third compared to last year.”

The landmark Treaty is binding in international law and ensures that people relocated to Rwanda under the Partnership are not at risk of being returned to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened – an act known as refoulement.   

It also enhances the functions of the independent Monitoring Committee to ensure compliance with the obligations in the Treaty, such as reception conditions, processing of asylum claims, and treatment and support for individuals including up to 5 years after they have received final determination of their status. The Committee is made up of 8 independent members.

The Monitoring Committee will also develop a system which will enable relocated individuals and legal representatives to lodge confidential complaints directly to them. It will have the power to set its own priority areas for monitoring, and have unfettered access for the purposes of completing assessments and reports. It may publish reports as it sees fit on its findings.

To further bolster assurances that relocated individuals will not be returned, under the Treaty, Rwanda’s asylum system will be strengthened through a new Appeal Body. The Appeal Body will consist of a Rwandan and other Commonwealth national Co-President, and be composed of judges from a mixture of nationalities with asylum and humanitarian protection expertise (appointed by the Co-Presidents) to hear individual appeals.

“This partnership with the UK reflects Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people, and builds on our track record of welcoming and hosting refugees and migrants from around the world,” said Dr Biruta. “Rwanda and the UK both understand that there’s a critical need to find innovative solutions to address the suffering of migrants making dangerous, desperate journeys, under the exploitation of criminal human smugglers.”

He added: “The people relocated to Rwanda will be welcomed, and they will be provided with both the safety and support they need to build new lives.”

The Treaty also charts a rights-based path for similar collaboration with and between other countries. Countries across Europe are now also exploring third country models for illegal immigration – including Austria, Germany, Denmark and Italy in their deal with Albania, a new and innovative model for processing asylum claims.  

The agreement goes hand-in-hand with wider action to stop the boats, including under the Illegal Migration Act – the most robust our country has ever seen – and our agreements with countries including France, Albania, Turkey and Italy.  

It also comes ahead of new legislation announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which will enable Parliament to confirm that, with our new Treaty, Rwanda is safe.  

As part of the Home Secretary’s first official visit to Rwanda, he also attended the Kigali Genocide Memorial with Minister Biruta to pay his respects and met with President Kagame and Minister Biruta to further discuss joint working.

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