In interviews with the BBC, Sri Lankan Tamil migrants, who were transferred to Rwanda from the remote UK territory of Diego Garcia, have revealed the challenges they face in their new surroundings. Despite being moved under a separate arrangement due to urgent medical needs following suicide attempts, they express dissatisfaction with their living conditions and the level of support received.
Living in two flats on the outskirts of Kigali, funded by British authorities, the migrants describe their situation as akin to being in an “open prison.” They report feeling isolated and unsafe, with constant harassment and unwanted advances on the streets exacerbating their sense of vulnerability. Moreover, they allege that their medical and mental health needs are not adequately addressed, leaving them feeling neglected and marginalized.
Rwandan officials, however, defend the country’s medical system and safety measures, dismissing the migrants’ concerns as isolated incidents. The UK government, on the other hand, maintains that the relocation from Diego Garcia to Rwanda is not a pathway to the UK and has not provided details on the arrangement.
Legal representatives of the migrants argue that their treatment in Rwanda violates international legal standards, urging the UK to find a permanent solution for their resettlement. The migrants themselves express apprehensions about the UK’s plan to process asylum seekers in Rwanda, fearing similar hardships for future arrivals.
As political debates continue over the UK’s asylum plan, migrants from Diego Garcia remain hopeful for resettlement in a safe third country, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address their precarious situation in Rwanda.