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A leading refugee charity has claimed that two 16-year-old migrants – who recently arrived in the UK – are facing imminent deportation to Rwanda by the start of next week. The Home Office, however, disputes their given ages.
Care4Calais are volunteer-run charity supporting refugees in the UK, France and Belgium. They have received information about the callous plan to send both teenagers thousands of miles away, as part of the Home Office’s controversial new plans to process illegal immigrants.
The hardline stance of sending undocumented migrants to Rwanda has drawn widespread condemnation – but the government has not backed down on the issue, and it’s reported that one deportation flight is set to leave on Tuesday 14 June.
The two young boys identified by Care4Calais will allegedly be on this flight. The Home Office claim they are both in their twenties, something the charity disputes. Their lawyers will now fight for legitimate ‘age assessments’ to prevent this move.
It is estimated that over 70% of those with Rwanda notices have suffered torture or trafficking either in their home countries, or on the incredibly dangerous journeys they have made. Regardless, the Home Office is standing firm on the issue.
“Of the 70 people we are working with, 10 have had notices to say their deportation is imminent, and six specifically mention the 14 June – two of the boys say that they are just 16 years old.”
“The Home Office say they are 23 and 26 so it is essential that proper age assessments are done before any deportation takes place. Our lawyers will fight for that. One 16 year old saw his brother killed in front of him when his village was raided in Sudan.”
“Such people should not be held in detention centres at all, and the fabulous law firms we are working with are busy challenging this on their behalf. There is a more humane and civilised solution right in front of us now.”
Care4Calais
