The British government faced embarrassment on Sunday as Rwanda’s high commissioner in London, former Rwandan justice minister Johnston Busingye, was covertly filmed criticizing the UK’s historic human rights record and expressing disagreement with the country’s interior minister’s stance on migration.
In the undercover recording conducted by campaign group Led By Donkeys, Busingye made critical remarks about London’s centuries-old human rights abuses while dismissing concerns about Rwanda’s contemporary human rights record. The footage captured the high commissioner hitting out at the UK’s treatment of migrants and its historical role in colonialism and imperialism.
The UK government has entered into an “asylum partnership arrangement” with Rwanda, aiming to resettle thousands of migrants who regularly arrive in southeast England on small boats from northern France to Rwanda. However, the plan has faced widespread criticism from rights groups and is currently facing a legal challenge in UK courts.
Interior Minister Suella Braverman has repeatedly sparked controversy over migration, including questioning the suitability of the United Nations Refugee Convention for the modern age. Busingye, when asked about his opinion on the stances of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Braverman, stated in the covert recording that they were “absolutely wrong.” He argued that the UK should adopt a long-term policy to provide choices for people to avoid risking their lives to reach the country, highlighting that migrants come to the UK because they are hopeless and have no future.
Busingye further criticized Britain’s historical legacy, stating that the country had enslaved millions of people for 400 years and had caused destruction in India, China, and Africa.
Despite evidence of consistent rights abuses in Rwanda, the British government, particularly Braverman, has maintained that Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world to send asylum-seekers and refugees.
In response to the covert filming, the Rwandan government disputed the accuracy of the undercover film posted on social media, claiming there were “several factual inaccuracies.” It asserted that Rwanda is committed to treating every person equally and providing sanctuary and opportunity. The government emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral relationship with London and praised Busingye for his role in this regard.
A spokesperson for the British government reiterated their defense of the Rwanda partnership, stating the need for innovative solutions to address the issue of migrant arrivals and dismantle the business model of human smuggling gangs. The UK Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on the legality of the asylum partnership later this year.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding migration policies and the complexities of international partnerships in addressing the challenges posed by asylum-seekers and refugees.
