The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled that the UK government will not have to pay Rwanda millions of pounds following the cancellation of a migrant deportation scheme. The court dismissed a lawsuit brought by the East African nation after the UK terminated the deal.
The agreement was originally established in 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to send migrants arriving in Britain via dangerous or illegal journeys, including those in small boats or lorries, to Rwanda.
Rwanda had sued the current UK government for more than £100 million, with one claim totaling $134 million, alleging a breach of agreement after the scheme was scrapped by the Labour government on its first day in office. The international court rejected the claim for damages, a result that bodes ill for other governments seeking return hubs.