Yolande Makolo

"Rwanda is committed to its international obligations, and we have been recognized by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees,”"

"The court relied on extreme and speculative concerns based on the hypocritical criticisms of the UNHCR, which has on numerous occasions expressed its appreciation of Rwanda’s inclusive refugee policies, qualifying them as ‘exemplary’,”"

"“For example, their claim of “100% rejection rate” of asylum seekers from some parts of the world is dishonest – a total of two individuals from Syria and Yemen were indeed not considered for asylum because there was a faster and more appropriate path to legal residence, and these individuals are currently living and working in Rwanda,"

"Throughout this legal process we’ve been busy continuing to deliver progress for Rwandans, and working together with international partners to solve some of the biggest challenges that Africa and the wider world face. We take our humanitarian responsibilities seriously, and will continue to live up to them.”"

"Rwanda will maintain a welcoming policy and record of caring for refugees, adding that the political judgments made today were unjustified.""

"Rwanda will now focus on working with the UK on a binding treaty to re-emphasize already existing guarantees required for the partnership to succeed,”"

"The Supreme Court ruling was a decision of the UK judicial system, over which Rwanda had no control."

"What we did object to is rather being portrayed as unsafe. Rwanda is a safe country in terms of refoulement, meaning sending asylum seekers back to the countries where they're persecuted. Rwanda does not do that. And this provision is included in the MoU."In order to address that concern, we will reemphasise it in the treaty that we're working on. So, that issue of being a safe country where asylum seekers will not be sent back is already being addressed and will be in the binding treaty.""

"Kigali entered the migration and economic development partnership "for the right reasons," including the need to address "bigger questions of inequality in opportunities" between the Global North and the South."

"What I can say about the treaty that we are working on right now is that it will reemphasise the guarantees that are in the MoUs,"The provisions are already there. So, the reemphasising of these guarantees in the treaty will address the concerns of the court and will reassure anyone who has any worries about asylum seekers being sent back to the countries that they came from. They've already been addressed in the MoU. They will be reemphasised in the treaty.""

"This is ultimately a decision for the UK's judicial system. However, we do take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees, in terms of refoulement,""

"On the wider issues covered in the piece, the broken global migration system is failing to protect the vulnerable, and empowering criminal smuggling gangs at an immeasurable human cost.”"

"“There is nothing compassionate about allowing this situation to continue, which is why Rwanda is proud to work in partnership with the UK government to provide a solution.”"

"We terminated our contract with Mr. Fane-Saunders’ company more than a year ago and the comments he made should be disregarded as they carry no weight,”"

"Because of Rwanda’s recent history, our country has a deep connection to the plight of those seeking safety and opportunity in a new land. This has shaped Rwanda’s approach to migration and asylum issues, and it is why Rwanda is the right place to support those looking for sanctuary and opportunity. “This continues to be central to Rwanda’s reconstruction journey. Discrimination of any form is not tolerated here. This is enshrined in our constitution and upheld by our commitments to the rule of law.”"

"Rwanda and the UK operate from a position of mutual respect and open dialogue.“The Rwandan High Commissioner to the UK plays an important role in maintaining our strong bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom as we collaborate productively across many areas, including migration.”"