Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill

Debate between Lord Cashman and Baroness Kennedy of Shaws

Report stage
Wednesday 6th March 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)]

My Lords, I was not on the visit to Rwanda with the committee, but I looked at all the notes that were taken, and I want to make it clear that, while the constitution of Rwanda provides remedies for those who have suffered discrimination, the problem is that no cases have ever been brought using that part of the constitution. To say that there are well-established principles and well-established methods to protect individuals has not been tested in the courts—and the opinion of others who were approached was that the place was not safe. Noble Lords heard that from the noble Baroness, Lady Lawrence, on Monday. Unfortunately, when noble Lords say that it depends on how one approaches these things, I am afraid that it does—it depends on whether one has an open mind and listens clearly or does not.

[Lord Cashman (Lab)]

For the record, the Foreign Office travel advice for Rwanda was:

“LGBT individuals can experience discrimination and abuse, including from local authorities. There are no specific anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT individuals”.


In that instance, I wonder why the UK Government give refuge and asylum to LBGT people from Rwanda.