Airlines and aviation authorities are warned of the implications of becoming involved in the operation of Rwanda deportation flights.
It might seem an attractive proposition for airlines or charter companies to generate income from transporting the UK’s asylum seekers to Rwanda.
However human rights issues come into play when operating these types of flights.
The United Kingdom (UK) has been pushing Rwanda as a solution to its refugee challenges for quite some time.
OBJECTION TO RWANDA ASYLUM PLAN
The plan met with objection on several fronts.
Refugees, the British public and various action groups have expressed disagreement with the UK government’s plan to remove asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In November last year, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that it was unsafe to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
However, a new bill allowed the UK government to bypass the previous decision.
RWANDA PLAN GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
On April 22, this year a bill was passed, allowing the UK government to deport asylum seekers who arrive by boat, to Rwanda.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on 22 April 2024, that flights to Rwanda will start within 10 to 12 weeks.
Sunak said that commercial charter planes would be used for the deportations, according to Aerotime.
UN RWANDA DEPORTATION FLIGHT WARNING
United Nations (UN) experts have warned airlines and aviation authorities against facilitating these unlawful removals.
Siobhán Mullally (Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons), Gehad Madi (Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants) and Allice Jill Edwards (Special Rapporteur on torture) said on 22 April that airlines and aviation authorities could be complicit in violating internationally protected human rights and court orders if they assist in the deportations to Rwanda.
ALSO READ: SunExpress: Airline says it will stock up on alcohol for UK flights
RWANDA FLIGHTS VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS
According to the BBC, the new legislation orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act.
Several UN spokesmen have highlighted that this could result in problems for airlines.
“If airlines and aviation authorities give effect to State decisions that violate human rights, they must be held responsible for their conduct,” a UN spokesperson said.
AVIATION AUTHORITIES
UN experts have been in contact with the UK government as well as national, European and international aviation regulators.
This includes the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other international organisations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) were also called on to express their concerns and remind airlines of their responsibilities.
“As the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights underline, aviation regulators, international organizations and business actors are required to respect human rights.” The UN spokesperson said.
