Call for Evidence

House of Lords 

International Agreements Committee 

Call for evidence: UK-Rwanda MoU 

The House of Lords International Agreements Committee, chaired by Baroness Hayter, has launched an inquiry into the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and Rwanda for the provision of an Asylum Partnership Arrangement.  

This is a public call for written evidence to be submitted to the Committee.  

While we may hold a small number of oral evidence sessions, please be aware that we will be particularly reliant on written evidence for this inquiry. 

We would be grateful for submissions on one, some or all of the points set out below by 17:00 on Friday, 26 August.  

You do not need to answer all the questions to make a submission. Short, concise submissions are preferred (no longer than six sides of A4). Bullet points are acceptable. 

The process for making submissions is set out below, but if you have any questions or require any adjustments to enable you to respond, please contact the staff of the Committee at HLIntlAgreements@parliament.uk.  

Inquiry focus 

Please note that we are focusing our inquiry specifically on the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership MoU, not the wider UK Government’s immigration policy. 

We are particularly keen to receive evidence on any or all of the following:  

1. What are the implications of signing an agreement that asserts that it is not binding on either Party in international law? Is the MoU an appropriate vehicle for this agreement?
2. What are the implications of a significant MoU, such as this, becoming operational on signature? In what circumstances should there be a gap between signature and “entry into force”?
3. How do you assess the assurances and safeguards included in the MoU, particularly those relating to inspection and monitoring, a relocated individuals’ access to legal assistance, and data protection?
4. Given Article 5.1 of the MoU does not impose an obligation on the UK to provide legal assistance during the screening of asylum seekers before relocation to Rwanda, what mechanisms are there for legal advice to be provided to the individuals selected for relocation?
5. Is the MoU consistent with UK domestic law at present, or does UK legislation require any amendment to implement the MoU?
6. Is the MoU consistent with the UK’s obligations under international law, including (but not limited to) the 1951 Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings? 
7. Does the agreement impose any binding or enforceable obligations on either Party? Given the arrangement asserts it is non-legally binding, and the wording of Article 2.2, what are the consequences if either Party were to breach any of their assurances under the arrangement, and what recourse would be available to those affected? 
8. How, in practice, should the impact of the MoU be evaluated, and against which measures? 

ANNEX: GUIDANCE FOR SUBMISSIONS 

Written submissions should be made online by clicking the “Start” button below. 

We would be grateful for submissions by 23:59 on Wednesday, 20 July.  

For any questions, please contact the Committee staff at HLIntlAgreements@parliament.uk or by telephoning 020 7219 4840. 

Short submissions are preferred. A submission longer than six pages should include a one-page summary. 

Paragraphs should be numbered. All submissions made through the written submission form will be acknowledged automatically by email.  

Evidence that is accepted by the Committee may be published online at any stage; when it is so published it becomes subject to parliamentary copyright and is protected by parliamentary privilege. Submissions that have been previously published will not be accepted as evidence. 

Once you have received acknowledgement that the evidence has been accepted you will receive a further email, and at this point you may publicise or publish your evidence yourself. In doing so you must indicate that it was prepared for the Committee, and you should be aware that your publication or re-publication of your evidence may not be protected by parliamentary privilege. 

Personal contact details will be removed from evidence before publication but will be retained by the Committee Office and used for specific purposes relating to the Committee’s work, for instance to seek additional information. 

Substantive communications to the Committee about the inquiry should be addressed through the clerk of the Committee, whether or not they are intended to constitute formal evidence to the Committee. 

You can follow the progress of the inquiry at: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6766/ukrwanda-memorandum-of-understanding/