New Analysis of Rwanda Notices Sent to Asylum Seekers

Analysis at 17 January 2023

Care4Calais, a claimant in the legal challenge against the Government’s Rwanda policy, is providing support to 213 asylum seekers who have received Rwanda Notices of Intent from the Home Office since August 2022.

13 women who have been issued with Notices of Intent by the Home Office to deport them to Rwanda are receiving support from Care4Calais.

38.5% of Care4Calais’ Rwanda clients are married and around 20% have children, despite Government claims that the policy targets single men.

66% of asylum seekers in the sample who have been sent Rwanda Notices of Intent reported indicators of modern slavery or torture. Clients told Care4Calais they had been tortured at home or on their journey to the UK, reporting physical violence including stabbings and rape, forced labour and one reported being the victim of female genital mutilation.

72% of asylum seekers in the sample who have been sent Rwanda Notices of Intent are from countries with very high asylum acceptance rates. Recently released Home Office statistics show that 98% of asylum claims from Afghans, Syrians and Eritreans were accepted, with acceptance rates of 87% for Sudanese claims and 82% for Iranians. This makes it highly likely that many of their claims would be granted if they were heard in the UK.

People who have suffered the horrors of war, torture and human rights abuses should not be faced with the immense trauma of deportation to a future where we cannot guarantee their safety.

The evidence we have collected shows that the Rwanda policy is targeting victims of some of the worst things imaginable who are very likely to have viable asylum claims here in the UK.

We remain steadfast in our opposition to the Rwanda policy and in our determination to ensure no refugee is forcibly deported to Rwanda. We are discussing options to appeal the High Court’s recent decision and will campaign against this cruel, immoral and ineffective policy when there is a compassionate and effective alternative – safe passage for refugees in Calais. This would put people smugglers out of business overnight and save refugees’ lives.

Analysis of Care4Calais’ second contingent Rwanda clients

As of 17th January 2023, Care4Calais is supporting 213 asylum seekers who have received Rwanda Notices of Intent since August 2022 (second contingent Rwanda clients).