Reading East MP calls Rwanda asylum policy 'unworkable'

The Government announced a policy of processing asylum claims in Rwanda as part of a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ earlier this month.

It has argued the move will ‘break the business model’ of people smugglers by discouraging dangerous journeys between France and the UK via the English Channel.

Now, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East has slammed the policy, arguing there should be a safe and legal process for people to claim asylum in the UK.

READ MORE: Reading terrorist fails bid to appeal sentence  

Mr Rodda said: “It is heart-breaking to see the images of children and families risking their lives to reach to the UK in order for them to feel safe.

“Clearly, more effort is needed to prevent those fleeing persecution from taking such a huge risk, but sending people to Rwanda to be processed and settled is unworkable, expensive and possibly a breach of our international obligations.

“It also forgets that behind every application to asylum is an individual who is in fear of their life.

Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East

“The Home Office would be better creating safe, legal routes for those who wish to apply for asylum in the UK to do so – including having application and process centres in places near the countries from which these vulnerable people are fleeing.

“We also need to improve our relationship with France as only co-operation with French authorities in Calais will ultimately prevent people making the dangerous journey across the Chanel.

“The British public has shown that they have compassion in their hearts and our collective response to refugees from Afghanistan or Ukraine has shown that we want to help those in peril. The Government should think again.”

The Government decision has proven controversial over human rights concerns.

Rwanda is judged as ‘Not Free’ according to global human rights monitor Freedom House, which has noted that refugees from neighbouring African countries are at risk of exploitation and violence.

However, security concerns have been raised after two high profile incidents where asylum seekers with failed claims committing terrorism in the UK in recently.

Khairi Saadallah who committed the Forbury Gardens attack, avoided deportation seven times before stabbing three men to death in Reading on June 20, 2020.

READ MORE: Successful asylum seeker faces deportation after raping teen student 

More recently, Emad Al Swealmeen, who was born in Iraq, attempted to blow up Liverpool Women’s Hospital on November 14, 2021.

Mr Swealmeen was killed in the blast.

He had his asylum claim rejected six years prior to him committing the attack.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has sought a statement from Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West, but no response has been received so far.

As a cabinet minister, Mr Sharma is bound by convention to support government decisions.

Ministers who disagree with Government policy publicly are expected to resign.