Rwanda Initiates Legal Action Against UK Over Terminated Migrant Agreement

Tue Jan 27 2026 21:05:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Rwanda files a case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration against the UK, seeking compensation over a scrapped migrant deal that aimed to relocate asylum seekers, now declared a failure by UK authorities.

The Rwandan government has taken legal action against the UK in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, claiming unpaid obligations under a terminated migrant deal designed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Following the UK's cancellation of the agreement, the Rwandan government asserts it deserves compensation for its commitments, while UK officials characterize the deal as a costly failure. The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and international agreements.

The Rwandan government has launched legal action against the UK to seek payments it claims it is owed under a scrapped migrant deal between the two countries.

Rwanda has filed a case with the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing the UK has failed to honour commitments made in a deal to send some asylum seekers to the African nation.

Under the deal, which was signed by the previous Conservative government, the UK agreed to make payments to Rwanda to host asylum seekers and support its economy.

But after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer axed the deal in 2024, the Home Office said £220m in 'scheduled future payments will not have to be paid' to Rwanda.

The BBC has asked the Home Office for comment.

The prime minister's spokesman stated that the government would 'robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers' and described the Rwanda scheme as a 'complete disaster'. The Rwandan government had previously engaged in diplomatic exchanges before initiating arbitration, stating a legal determination is sought regarding the treaty's parties' rights and obligations.

The arbitration under the asylum partnership agreement was initiated in November and is currently in the pending status.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the Labour party's decision to scrap the Rwanda scheme, attributing it as 'another catastrophic consequence' and highlighting that British taxpayers may face a financial burden due to this action.

The Rwandan government maintains it is under 'no obligation' to refund any money as the dispute heads to arbitration.