Metro

Despite worldwide prorests, UK judge rejects bid to stop asylum seekers’ deportation to Rwanda

Published

3 years ago

June 11, 2022

A British judge, on Friday, rejected lawsuits filed in attempts to halt UK’s bid to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda next week, but gave the migrants permission for a last-minute appeal.

The Judge, Jonathan Swift, in his ruling, refused a request from a group of the asylum-seekers, backed by a trade union and refugee groups, for an injunction grounding the flight.

But he said an appeal could be heard on Monday, and a full legal challenge to the British government’s new Rwanda deportation policy is to be held before the end of July.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Britain’s Immigration Minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, both welcomed the ruling with Patel saying the government would “not be deterred” by further challenges in carrying out the deportations.

“Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognized for providing a safe haven for refugees.

“We will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings,” Patel said.

The first one-way flight which is supposed to airlift 30 of the migrants who were arrested while crossing the English Channel into the UK, has been scheduled to leave next Tuesday but several human rights groups had filed suits on behalf of the migrants, many of whom had threatened to commit suicide if they were forcefully deported.

The Tuesday flight which will be the first under a controversial deal between the U.K. and the East African country, will see Britain sending the migrants who arrived in the UK either as stowaways or in small boats to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed.

The deal said to be worth millions of pounds in compensation to the African country, with the UK already paying Rwanda £120 million ($158 million) upfront for the plan, will see successful migrants staying in Rwanda, but human rights groups have called the idea unworkable and inhumane.

The British government has not provided details of those selected but refugee groups say the group includes people fleeing from Syria and Afghanistan who arrived in Britain across the English Channel.

Related Topics:Asylum Seekers Deportation Featured Rwanda

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.