Non-refoulement in a Post-Rwanda Litigation Landscape: Reflections on Refugee Protection

This event is a conversation on the impact of the UK Supreme Court's decision in R(AAA) on non-refoulement and refugee protection.

In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court dealt what should have been a lethal blow to the UK Government’s plans to absolve itself of its responsibilities under international refugee law. The Court confirmed that the UK-Rwanda plan, through which asylum seekers would be sent to Rwanda for processing of their asylum claims and subsequent grant or refusal of asylum, was unlawful, given ‘there are substantial grounds for believing that the [individuals’] removal to Rwanda would expose them to a real risk of ill-treatment by reason of refoulement’. In response, the UK Government has pledged to revisit the plan and pass legislation to ensure that removals to Rwanda can proceed speedily.

In this rapid response event, academic experts and practitioners engage in conversation on non-refoulement and access to asylum in this current landscape. In addition to an analysis of the judgment and the policy environment, speakers will reflect on the wider impact of the ruling and its aftermath at the national, regional, and international levels. The colonial undertones of the policy, including its effect on the litigation and international refugee law provide a further avenue for discussion.

Chair: Dr Clara Della Croce (SOAS