Arbitral tribunal rules UK not liable for Rwanda deportation scheme damages
The Hague-based panel determined that diplomatic exchanges confirmed the UK’s refusal to honour installments originally scheduled for 2025 and 2026, ending a legal dispute initiated by the previous Conservative administration.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in favour of the United Kingdom, rejecting Rwanda’s claim for damages related to the scrapped asylum seeker deportation scheme. The tribunal determined that the UK is not liable for two annual payments of £50 billion each, originally scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The plan, originally struck by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2022, was cancelled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 after the UK Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful in November 2023. The UK government stated it robustly defended its position, while a spokesperson for Rwanda confirmed the country respects the award and considers the matter concluded.
The tribunal found that written diplomatic exchanges between the two nations after Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped the deal in 2024 constituted confirmation that the UK would not make the payments. The 2025 payment decision was reached by a majority verdict, whereas the 2026 decision was unanimous. Rwanda had argued that the Starmer government, which took office in the summer of 2024, still owed these installments despite the deal's cancellation. Rwanda’s government noted that the 2025 decision was open to different interpretations, though it accepted the final award.
The deportation plan was originally struck by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2022, following earlier proposals by Boris Johnson. The scheme aimed to send migrants who arrived in the UK illegally to Rwanda, where they could apply for asylum and residency, in exchange for financial compensation to the Rwandan government. The UK’s Supreme Court ruled in November 2023 that the policy was unlawful, citing potential human rights breaches for those sent to Rwanda. Prior to the legal challenges, only four individuals were sent to Rwanda on a voluntary basis before the accord was abandoned.
The current Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, campaigned on abolishing the plan, criticising it as a "gimmick" and a waste of taxpayer money. A government spokesperson highlighted that the previous administration had spent approximately £700 million on a scheme that resulted in only four volunteers being sent to the East African nation. The incoming government argued that Britain had already spent the better part of a billion pounds on a plan that was unlikely to take effect as envisaged.
Tensions between the UK and Rwanda have also included disputes over aid payments and allegations regarding Rwanda’s involvement with the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deal had run into domestic legal difficulties prior to Labour taking office, with the Supreme Court ruling the policy unlawful due to human rights concerns. Although the bill was amended and passed through parliament, it never faced renewed legal scrutiny before the election. The tribunal’s decision formally closes the financial dispute, with Rwanda stating it respects the award.
