Filippo Grandi (UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR) strongly condemned Monday's British government's plan of sending migrants from the United Kingdom to Rwanda. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR stated that "it's not right at any time, this deal isnt right at all for so many other reasons" during a Geneva press conference on the eve the first planned departures.
"We are talking here about a country that exports its responsibilities and structures to Rwanda," said the UNHCR head.
The UK claims that "we are doing it to save these people from a dangerous journey." Filippo Grandi laughed, letting the irony shine through. "Protecting people on dangerous journeys is great. It's great. But does it need to be done in this way?" He continued, "I doubt it."
He said, "This sets a terrible precedent." The High Commissioner said that this could encourage other countries to accept many migrants to use the same arguments to close their borders.
"Does it make me feel sorry for those who take these dangerous journeys? Of course, and more than anyone. Do I feel resentful for those who profit from this? Filippo Grandi said that they are criminals and must be tried, convicted, and prosecuted for their serious crimes. To add:
Just a few minutes after Filippo Grandi's press conference was over, British justice announced it would reject appeals against deportations of Rwandan migrants. This announcement came just before the scheduled first flight of Tuesday.
