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NewsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 Xtend is now happening.
00:12 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:15 [APPLAUSE]
00:18 Thank you.
00:29 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:30 James Cleverly, Secretary of State
00:32 for the Home Department.
00:35 Ladies and gentlemen, let me begin
00:39 by welcoming you and your delegation to Rwanda.
00:43 It is indeed a pleasure to have you here,
00:46 as Rwanda and the UK continue to work together
00:49 on our migration and economic development partnership.
00:53 This partnership reflects Rwanda's commitment
00:56 to protecting vulnerable people, and our country's track record
01:01 in welcoming and hosting refugees and migrants
01:04 from around the world.
01:07 Rwanda and the UK understand that there
01:09 is a critical need to find innovative ways to address
01:13 the suffering of migrants making dangerous, desperate journeys
01:19 under the exploitation of criminal human smugglers.
01:23 There is also a need to tackle the underlying causes driving
01:27 people from their homelands.
01:29 In other words, the boats will not
01:32 be completely stopped unless we reverse
01:35 the lack of opportunity and insecurity
01:38 in countries around the world.
01:41 The treaty we are signing, we have just signed today,
01:45 will reinforce the mutual beneficial framework
01:48 for cooperation that we have developed.
01:51 It will reemphasize in a binding manner
01:55 already existing commitments that
01:57 address the concerns raised in the legal process
02:01 about the protection of asylum seekers.
02:04 The treaty will also formalize the rule of law partnership
02:08 with the UK.
02:10 Together, we will build the capacity of our asylum system
02:14 as a safe and human migration process.
02:19 This partnership will also strengthen our asylum process
02:23 system by exchanging best practices
02:26 and providing capacity building and expertise
02:29 in the area of migration.
02:32 I want to affirm that the people relocated to Rwanda
02:35 will be welcomed and that they will be provided
02:38 both the safety and support they need to build new lives.
02:44 Rwanda looks forward to further strengthening the cooperation
02:47 with the United Kingdom and to implementing this treaty.
02:52 Dear Home Secretary, dear James, I
02:55 welcome you to deliver remarks before we take
02:57 a few questions from the media.
02:59 Prime Minister Vincent, thank you
03:03 for welcoming me and my delegation here to Rwanda.
03:08 You and I have had the opportunity
03:10 to work in the past in my former capacity
03:14 as the UK's foreign secretary.
03:17 And in all our dealings, I have always
03:20 found both you personally and your government
03:24 to be professional, thoughtful, and serious partners
03:31 on the world stage.
03:32 And I think this is exemplified by the Migration Economic
03:36 Development Partnership that we have developed
03:40 over recent months and which we now
03:44 strengthen and enhance through this treaty.
03:49 As you have said, Rwanda has now established
03:53 a strong reputation for the humane and professional
03:58 administration of refugees and migrants.
04:03 This is something understood by the UK
04:06 and the multilateral community.
04:11 The treaty that we signed today builds on that joint work.
04:17 It takes the positive professional attitude
04:20 that you and your government display
04:23 and allies it with the work that the UK is doing
04:29 to ensure that we break the business
04:32 model of those evil people smuggling gangs.
04:37 We want to make sure that people can live in safety
04:42 and prosperity.
04:44 And that is why, in addition to the migration
04:47 element of this partnership, the economic development part
04:50 is incredibly important.
04:54 We recognise that people will understandably move away
05:00 from conflict and from famine.
05:04 And therefore, it is in all our interests
05:06 to address these long-term drivers of mass migration.
05:12 But we should also make it clear that those people coming
05:15 to the UK should do so through safe and legal routes
05:20 and that those who put themselves
05:22 in the hands of people smuggling gangs
05:25 will not be able to remain in the UK.
05:30 But your country has made a clear and unambiguous
05:34 commitment to the safety of people who come here.
05:40 That has been displayed, and we have seen that in practice.
05:44 You've also made a strong commitment
05:47 to work with the UK and international partners
05:50 in order to make sure that the robustness
05:54 of your judicial system is clearly on display.
05:59 And we are very proud to be a longstanding partner
06:03 in that endeavour.
06:06 This bilateral relationship today, this meeting today,
06:10 is, of course, marking a particularly important part
06:15 of our bilateral relationship.
06:17 But I would also like to take this opportunity
06:20 to expand upon the work that we are doing together
06:25 in terms of your tourism, in terms
06:29 of your agricultural sector, and in terms
06:32 of your country's wider economic development.
06:36 Rwanda has shown itself to be a strong and important partner
06:40 to the UK.
06:41 I'm very proud that this treaty today
06:44 amplifies that relationship.
06:47 And I'm very much looking forward
06:48 to continue working with you in my new role as Home Secretary.
06:54 Thank you.
06:55 Thank you very much.
06:56 We'll now take questions from the media.
06:59 It will be one question per person.
07:01 Mr. Cleverley, you're far from the first Home Secretary
07:04 to head here to try and get this project up and running.
07:08 What makes you think this time it can be a success?
07:10 And can you guarantee that migrants
07:12 will be on their way here as soon as the spring?
07:15 Or are you crossing your fingers and hoping for the best?
07:19 And a question to Dr. Biruta, if I may.
07:22 How frustrated are you at the ongoing delays
07:25 in trying to bring about this policy?
07:28 And were you offended by the judgments of the UK Supreme
07:32 Court?
07:33 Thank you both.
07:34 Chris, thank you for the question.
07:41 The UK has been working with Rwanda,
07:43 not just as a Commonwealth partner,
07:45 on a range of issues, which I alluded
07:48 to in my opening remarks.
07:50 But specifically on the migrant economic development
07:57 partnership, Migration Economic Development Partnership.
08:00 Throughout the time that we've been working with the Rwandan
08:03 government, they have shown an energy and a professionalism
08:07 and a desire to work in a collaborative partnership
08:14 way with the UK.
08:17 And I've also, in my previous role as Foreign Secretary,
08:20 seen that displayed across a number
08:21 of other bilateral issues as well.
08:26 Of course, we want to see this part of our wider migration
08:32 plan up and running as quickly as possible.
08:36 We feel very strongly that this treaty addresses
08:40 all the issues raised by their lordships in the Supreme Court.
08:45 And we have worked very closely with our Rwandan partners
08:48 to ensure that it does so.
08:52 I cannot see any credible reason why Rwanda's track record
08:58 as a partner, including as a partner for the ECHR,
09:01 long-term partner for the ECHR.
09:04 Bearing in mind the ECHR, I think,
09:07 sent 165 refugees to Rwanda the day following the Supreme Court
09:15 judgment.
09:15 So they clearly regard Rwanda as a credible long-term partner,
09:19 just as we do.
09:20 So I really hope that we can now move quickly.
09:23 We've addressed the issues that were raised by their lordships
09:29 in this treaty.
09:30 And that will be reflected in domestic legislation soon.
09:33 Because we are absolutely committed
09:36 to breaking the business model of these people smuggling gangs,
09:40 to create a safe and welcoming environment with our friends
09:45 and partners here in Rwanda, but also making sure
09:49 that mass migration is well managed into the future.
09:53 Let me say that Rwanda's commitment is driven by our
09:58 belief in what is right, rather than seeking external validation
10:02 or praise.
10:04 Rwanda is proud to be part of a solution to a global crisis that
10:09 is a migration crisis.
10:12 And it is crucial to recognize that the UK Supreme Court's
10:17 reliance on speculative concerns rooted in UNHCR criticisms
10:23 contradicted the UNHCR's own previous expressions
10:27 of appreciation for Rwanda's inclusive refugee policies.
10:34 So it begs the following question.
10:37 How did we go from model to dangerous country
10:39 in just four short years?
10:42 And how much of this perception is linked
10:45 to internal UK politics?
10:48 This being said, I would say that there is always
10:52 a room for improvement to any system designed by human beings,
10:58 Rwandan or British.
11:01 So this is the reason why we worked on this treaty
11:04 and we accepted to partner just to make sure we can improve
11:07 our asylum system, and that we have a fair and transparent
11:12 system in place for those claimants to be able to appeal
11:17 or just to have a judgment which is fair and transparent.
11:26 Home Secretary, how much additional money
11:29 has the UK government agreed to pay Rwanda
11:31 in light of this treaty?
11:33 If you're unable to tell us, can you explain why, please?
11:37 And a question for Dr. Biruta as well.
11:43 Could you tell us if the Rwandan government continues
11:46 to remain committed to this partnership,
11:49 even if it faces further delays and setbacks?
11:52 Or have you set a deadline on when you would
11:54 withdraw your cooperation?
11:56 Thank you.
11:57 First, let me make it clear.
12:00 The Rwandan government has not asked for,
12:03 and we have not provided, any funding
12:06 linked to the signing of the treaty.
12:09 The financial arrangement, which inevitably
12:11 comes as part of an international agreement,
12:15 reflects the costs that may be imposed on Rwanda
12:20 through the changes that this partnership has
12:26 created in their systems, in their legal systems,
12:30 and their institutions.
12:32 But this treaty-- as I say, no money
12:36 was asked for by the Rwandans for this treaty.
12:38 No money was provided to the Rwandans for this treaty.
12:42 Dealing with migration is important,
12:45 and it is not a cost-free option.
12:48 But we regard it as the right thing to do,
12:51 both to protect our borders, to dissuade people
12:54 from putting themselves in the hands of people, smugglers,
12:58 and making these dangerous journeys,
13:00 often in unseaworthy vessels, whether it
13:03 be across the Mediterranean or across the Channel.
13:07 Rwanda is helping the UK in our fight against illegal migration
13:13 and people smuggling.
13:15 They are doing so professionally, thoughtfully,
13:19 and as a partner genuinely willing to work with us on,
13:26 as Vincent has said, the foreign minister has said,
13:31 on what is increasingly a global challenge.
13:33 Rwanda is very much committed to this migration
13:40 and economic development partnership.
13:42 And this is the reason why we worked with our colleagues
13:47 from the UK to address the concerns of the UK Supreme
13:52 Court, while we thought they were unfounded and unfair.
13:57 But we worked together just to address those concerns.
14:01 So we don't have a plan to withdraw
14:03 from this collaboration.
14:05 We have a plan to implement this partnership.
14:08 And we remain open to just monitor the implementation
14:13 and be able to adjust one or the other element, which
14:18 will need to be adjusted.
14:21 So we are committed to the partnership.
14:24 And we don't have a plan to withdraw
14:27 from this collaboration.
14:30 Thank you.
14:31 We'll take one more question.
14:33 Vincent.
14:33 Thank you very much, Vincent Gassan and Katie Price.
14:44 If I may, Dr. Birutha, as has been stated,
14:47 this agreement, now treaty, of course,
14:50 comes within the context of what is understood
14:54 or was understood to be a global challenge of human traffickers
14:58 and smugglers.
14:59 Rwanda stepped forward to play its part.
15:03 Primarily, the country now hosts a school from Afghanistan
15:07 when the Taliban took over their country.
15:10 They have been joined by Sudanese medical students.
15:14 Their school is here, too, after the conflict in that country.
15:18 You've also got this emergency transit mechanism from Libya,
15:24 where it's scarcely believable people are actually
15:26 being sold in slave markets.
15:30 And they are now in Rwanda and thriving.
15:33 And anyone who's been to the Mahama refugee camp,
15:35 as I have, and seen the refugees who
15:37 spent 20-plus years over there, know that while it's not home,
15:42 it's a good place for people to bring up their children.
15:46 Now, for all of that, in return for all of that,
15:48 it seems that Rwanda is being introduced pretty much
15:51 worldwide in the Supreme Court, the UNHCR, which itself has
15:57 described Rwanda's policy as exemplary.
16:00 Their word, bizarrely, goes to the Supreme Court
16:05 and says Rwanda is an unsafe country to be.
16:07 So are Rwandans entitled to ask themselves,
16:11 why is Rwanda continuing this agreement?
16:14 Why are they allowing themselves to be introduced?
16:17 Why not just say, look, we've done our best.
16:21 We are happy to step forward and participate
16:24 in what is a global crisis.
16:26 But we don't want this thrown in our faces anymore.
16:28 What explanation would you give to them?
16:30 Why is Rwanda bending over backwards over this?
16:32 So we continued with this partnership
16:38 because we believe that we are doing the right things
16:42 to contribute to a solution to this global migration crisis.
16:47 You mentioned it.
16:48 We have refugees in this country from all over the world,
16:54 from Sudan, from Afghanistan, and from the region.
16:59 And we believe that we are doing the right things
17:03 in receiving these refugees.
17:06 The fact is that there are situations around the world
17:10 which will continue to produce refugees.
17:14 And it is not helpful for all of us
17:17 to criticize a country like Rwanda, which
17:20 is contributing to a solution, while we are not even
17:24 addressing the root causes.
17:25 I mean, all of us are not even addressing the root causes
17:28 which produce those refugees.
17:31 I said it.
17:32 We were unfairly treated by international organizations,
17:39 by the media, by courts.
17:42 But we believe that we are doing the right things.
17:45 And those who are criticizing us should bring up
17:51 alternative to the solution we are proposing.
17:54 So let's just move forward and implement
17:57 what we have agreed to do.
18:00 And just wait for those who are criticizing us
18:04 to see what alternative system they are going
18:08 to propose to this problem.
18:11 Criticizing is one thing, but providing a solution
18:15 is another one.
18:17 So we are working on providing solution.
18:22 And I think we will survive those criticisms
18:26 from these various organizations and actors.
18:32 Thank you.
18:33 I have a huge amount of admiration
18:35 for the fortitude of the Rwandan government, who,
18:38 as you say, have been the recipients of criticism,
18:44 I think, completely out of keeping with the effort
18:48 that the government has been making on behalf of the UNHCR
18:54 and other organizations and those refugees themselves.
18:59 There is a desire, as you have heard,
19:01 to keep improving those processes
19:03 and work closely with international partners,
19:05 the UK and others, in order to continue that evolution
19:10 and improvement of processes, just as all governments should
19:13 seek to do.
19:16 The UK and Rwanda are working on this because it is important,
19:20 not because it is necessarily easy
19:24 or that it buys you cheap or quick popularity.
19:28 We do this despite the fact that it is difficult and sensitive.
19:33 Because if we don't address these issues,
19:36 the people that will ultimately be the winners
19:39 are the people smugglers.
19:41 They are the slave traders.
19:43 They are the criminal gangs.
19:45 And they are the extremist voices
19:48 who always take advantage of human difficulties
19:52 and hardship.
19:53 Rwanda is stepping forward to be a thoughtful and careful
19:57 partner in solving these incredibly
20:01 difficult international issues.
20:03 I think that they deserve support in doing that.
20:08 And I have been uncomfortable with the tone
20:12 and the volume of some of the criticism directed at Rwanda
20:16 for having the courage to step forward
20:19 and to try and be part of the solution
20:21 rather than part of the problem.
20:24 [MUSIC PLAYING]