A UK parliamentary report released on February 12, 2024, has
denounced the Rwanda Bill, which designates Rwanda as a safe haven for
processing asylum seekers, as a breach of British human rights obligations and
international law.
This condemnation comes amid disturbing accounts from three
Tamil asylum seekers, relocated by Britain from a remote Indian Ocean territory
to Rwanda, detailing instances of sexual abuse and harassment. They demand
immediate transfer to a safer location, such as the UK.
Hamshika Krishnamoorthi, 23, disclosed being sexually
assaulted by a nurse at the Rwanda Military Hospital in Kigali while undergoing
treatment following a suicide attempt on October 18. She expressed profound
insecurity in Rwanda, citing fears of further assault, having allegedly
experienced rape during previous detention on the British-held island of Diego
Garcia.
Krishnamoorthi's claims were further substantiated by
reports of attempted break-ins at her Kigali apartment, with video evidence
capturing Rwandan police detaining the trespassers. Additionally, two other
Tamil asylum seekers relayed experiences of verbal and sexual harassment by
strangers in Kigali.
These distressing accounts coincide with a legal battle led
by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to implement a contentious plan to deport
hundreds of asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement. However,
the UK Supreme Court deemed the plan unlawful in November, citing the genuine
risk of ill-treatment faced by asylum seekers in Rwanda.
While the Tamil asylum seekers in Rwanda are not directly
connected to the deportation plan, their plight underscores the UK's inability
to ensure their safety should the scheme proceed.
These individuals, part of a larger group of ethnic Tamils
seeking refuge, were transferred from Diego Garcia to Rwanda in March 2023 for
medical treatment following suicide attempts. Despite approval of their
international protection claims by the BIOT Administration, they await
resettlement in a "safe third country," with mounting frustration
over delays and perceived neglect by UK authorities.
Legal action against the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and
Development Office is being considered by the asylum seekers' representatives
at Leigh Day, who criticize the lack of timely resolution in their case. The
FCDO has pledged to investigate allegations of mistreatment, emphasizing the
paramount importance of migrants' safety under its jurisdiction.
As the asylum seekers endure ongoing hardships and
uncertainty, their appeals for security and justice echo unresolved challenges
within the asylum system, calling for urgent action to uphold human rights and
international obligations.
