Migrants set to be deported to Rwanda from the UK have been given a booklet from the Home Office entitled "I'm being relocated to Rwanda: What does this mean for me?" The booklet includes pictures of their Rwandan accommodations and describes the country as "safe and secure." It also promises free accommodation, food, healthcare, and help.
A copy of the handout was obtained by The Times, which reports that over 100 migrants were detained by Immigration Enforcement officers as of Friday and taken to removal centers across the UK to be deported after the Home Office announced on Tuesday it had lost contact with thousands of them. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak secured the deal with the Rwandan government.
The migrants were handed the booklet as they arrived at the facilities. After the title page, it displays a map of Africa and reads "If you were to look at a world map, Rwanda is located just south of the equator."
It continues: "Rwanda is a generally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers. Under this binding agreement, they will process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention, Rwandan national and international laws."
"If you feel that Rwanda is not safe for you personally, you must notify us immediately in writing or in person and explain why."
It describes Rwanda as "the land of a thousand hills" and says it has a "striking landscape" with a "wide array of wildlife and biodiversity."
The booklet tells readers they will be given "all the support you need" which includes free accommodations, food, healthcare and help but also states that migrants will be "supported to return home" if they want to.
Migrant charities have complained that the booklet is written in English, for fear the migrants won't be able to read it.
One source told the news outlet: "The booklet reads like a primary school textbook, it's incredibly patronising and doesn't even mention the fact that the UK Supreme Court ruled that Rwanda is unsafe for asylum seekers just last year."
