(24 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kigali – 23 April 2024
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1. SOUNDBITE (Kinyarwanda) Alaine Mukuralinda, deputy government spokesperson:
"The government of Rwanda has welcomed the UK Parliament’s decision because the decision is out of the partnership signed by the two governments, where the government of UK had requested Rwanda to host the migrants. Rwanda studied and found it was possible to host the migrants, so that it becomes part of the solution of migrants from Africa and the rest of the world. These migrants use risky channels to get to Europe, which can lead to their deaths. As we talk now, I have heard news of migrants who have died trying to cross the sea to Europe. So, it is good news to hear the UK is going to implement this good partnership which is going to be a solution to the issue of migrants."
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2. SOUNDBITE (Kinyarwanda) Alaine Mukuralinda, deputy government spokesperson:
"This decision by the UK government confirms that Rwanda has performed well, in terms of security because for the UK to accept sending migrants to Rwanda, it confirms that Rwanda is safe, therefore dismissing the earlier decision by the judges of UK high court that it was unsafe."
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3. SOUNDBITE (Kinyarwanda) Alaine Mukuralinda, deputy government spokesperson:
"What people should remember is that this partnership has been there for two years and it has a budget, that will look after the migrants when they arrive in Rwanda, there is money to cater for their temporary accommodation, there is money for processing their documents, and there is a budget to migrants to cater for their permanent stay alongside Rwandans. Everything is planned and the money was given and everything is in place. Even if the plane landed with them now or the following day, they can be received and taken care of, given accommodation, and get medical assistance if needed."
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STORYLINE:
A spokesperson for the Rwandan government said Tuesday that his country was ready to receive migrants from the UK and welcomed the decision by the British parliament approving the transfer.
Speaking to Associated Press, the government’s deputy spokesperson Alaine Mukuralinda said it was "good news to hear the UK is going to implement this good partnership which is going to be a solution to the issue of migrants."
The British Parliament finally passed legislation to send some migrants to Rwanda, clearing the runway for flights this summer under the government’s controversial plan to stop migrants crossing the English Channel from France to Britain in small boats.
Five migrants died on Tuesday when their boat got stuck on a sandbank off the coast in northern France.
Referring to the incident, Alaine said the ‘Rwanda Plan’ model was a viable solution to stop such migrant deaths.
He said the budget and plans were in place to receive the migrants.
"Even if the plane landed with them now or the following day, they can be received and taken care of, given accommodation, and get medical assistance if needed," stressed Alaine.
Human rights activists and migrants’ groups have vowed to continue the fight against the policy, which they say is unethical and inhumane.
Most people who arrive in the UK that way apply for asylum, and in the past many have been granted it.
The Conservative government says these migrants should not be treated as genuine refugees because they did not claim asylum in another safe country, such as France, that they reached first.
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