Because of Rwanda’s recent history, the country has a deep connection to the plight of those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land – this has shaped the country’s approach to migration and asylum issues.
Rwanda has a strong record of providing safety to those fleeing danger. Rwanda already provides refuge for almost 130,000 refugees from multiple countries – including neighbours like the DRC and Burundi, as well as Afghanistan and migrants evacuated from Libya – this proves Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people around the world, a principle which always governs the international policy of the Government of Rwanda.
Rwanda is already working with international partners to support those fleeing conflict and natural disasters – the country is a signatory to the African Union’s Kampala Convention – a continent wide initiative to provide protection to internally displaced people.
The Government of Rwanda is pleased to confirm a bold new partnership with the United Kingdom, which will take an innovative approach to addressing the global migration crisis.
A broken migration and asylum system is failing to protect the vulnerable, and empowering criminal smuggling gangs at an immeasurable human cost.
The Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership addresses the roots of this crisis by tackling the global inequalities of opportunity that drive economic migrants from their homes causing unsustainable levels of demand on the system.
The partnership, through the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund, will invest in Rwanda’s economic development – creating professional and personal development opportunities for migrants and Rwandans alike, and rebalancing the inequalities at the heart of the global migration crisis.
As well as prioritising the dignity and empowerment of migrants, their safety and security will be ensured by hosting the programme in Rwanda – consistently ranked one of the world’s safest nations.
Deep global inequalities are driving millions of people from their homes in search of opportunity, at the same time as millions are forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution, and other threats to safety.
This has created immense demands on the immigration systems of many countries, including the UK. This situation has driven vulnerable people to place their lives in the hands of criminal smuggling gangs, resulting in countless tragedies.
In Kigali today, Thursday 14th April, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta and UK Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
The partnership will address this urgent humanitarian crisis by tackling its roots. By relocating migrants to Rwanda and investing in personal development and employment for migrants, our nations are taking bold steps to address the imbalance in global opportunities which drives illegal migration, while dismantling the incentive structures which empower criminal gangs and endanger innocent lives. The partnership will disrupt the business model of organised crime gangs and deter migrants from putting their lives at risk.
Crucially, this will prioritise the dignity and rights of migrants, empowering them with a range of opportunities for building a better life in a country which has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s safest. Migrants will be integrated into communities across the country.
Minister Vincent Biruta, the Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation, welcomed the partnership, stating that “Rwanda is committed to international co-operation and partnership on migration, in particular the opportunities that a robust protection system as well as a comprehensive human capital investment program can create, for migrants and for development of the host country.
“There is a global responsibility to prioritise the safety and well-being of migrants, and Rwanda welcomes this partnership with the United Kingdom to host asylum seekers and migrants, and offer them legal pathways to residence. This is about ensuring that people are protected, respected, and empowered to further their own ambitions and settle permanently in Rwanda if they choose.”
The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said “The global migration crisis and how we tackle illegal migration requires new world-leading solutions. There are an estimated 80 million people displaced in the world and the global approach to asylum and migration is broken. Existing approaches have failed and there is no single solution to tackle these problems. Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK illegally.
“Today we have signed a world leading migration partnership with The Rwandan Government which can see those arriving illegally into the UK by dangerous methods relocated to Rwanda to have their claims for asylum considered and, if recognised as refugees, to build their lives there – helping break the people smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life.”
Under the programme, they will be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrolment in healthcare and social care services. Furthermore, the UK’s upfront investment of £120 million will fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.
This partnership reflects Rwanda’s commitments to protecting vulnerable people around the world, and ensuring development and prosperity for Rwanda and its people.
Rwanda’s history has embedded a responsibility to protect vulnerable people around the world. Since 1994, Rwanda has been an active contributor to peacekeeping missions – indeed the largest troop contributor in Africa – and other humanitarian initiatives.
Rwanda was once one of the world’s leading producers of refugees, and as such is particularly concerned with taking urgent steps towards more humane solutions to the global migration crisis.
Rwanda already hosts almost 130,000 refugees from multiple countries – including neighbours like the DRC and Burundi, but also from countries like Afghanistan and evacuees from Libya – all of whom have full legal and employment rights. This partnership reflects the ongoing effort to create a safe and empowering haven in Rwanda for all those seeking refuge.
Since 2001 the Uk has granted protection to around 80,000 people from African nations for asylum claims and from 2010, and have resettled 6,500 people.
This partnership also advances the Rwandan Government’s priority of improving the lives and livelihoods of the Rwandan people. Over the last 28 years, Rwanda has made significant strides towards national development, and has ambitious goals for the future. Under Vision 2050 – the national development plan – Rwanda aspires to become an upper middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050.
Our National Migration Policy recognises the value of migrants in contributing to our economic,
cultural, and social development. This partnership, which is an extension of Rwanda’s welcoming policy towards all migrants – whether they are seeking refuge or opportunity – will advance this. Furthermore, the investments made by the UK will be invaluable in furthering some of our key development goals.
Thanks to the fund, the government will be able to invest in programmes including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education, will be made available to migrants and Rwandans alike. Investments in tech-enabled jobs and small businesses will be a particular priority.
The fund will also fund further progress on some of the key initiatives that we have worked on with the United Kingdom. These include environmental policies – reflecting our national goal to become climate resilient and carbon neutral by 2050 – girls’ education, building back better from COVID-19, bolstering trade, investing in human capital, and supporting effective, accountable institutions. (End).