At Refugee Youth Service, our mission is to support young asylum seekers as they navigate the complexities and uncertainties of seeking refuge. Through this, we witness firsthand the mental and emotional toll that these young people endure. The British government’s Rwanda scheme has naturally exacerbated this distress, casting a long shadow over their futures and well-being.

 

The scheme intends to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, prior to their claims being made or processed. Having already faced unimaginable hardships and trauma in their journeys to seek safety, the threat of being uprooted once again, and sent to a foreign country far from the possibility of a stable future in the UK, is deeply destabilising.

 

For many young asylum seekers, the mere prospect of being sent to Rwanda triggers severe psychological distress, manifesting as chronic anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and withdrawal from engagement with services and society as a whole. This stress is compounded by the lack of information and clarity about the likelihood of being affected by the scheme (a less than 1% chance by our calculations), leaving them in a state of perpetual limbo. 

 

To make matters worse, when the age-disputed children we support ask us whether their age-dispute would prevent their removal, even temporarily whilst the dispute is ongoing, we tragically have to inform them that it will not. 

 

We therefore welcome the prospective Labour government’s promise to scrap the Rwanda scheme. This commitment offers a glimmer of hope for young asylum seekers who yearn for stability and the chance to heal and thrive. However, ending the Rwanda scheme is just the beginning, and we urge whoever takes power on the 5th of July to implement comprehensive reforms that ensure humane and dignified treatment for all asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. This includes providing appropriate accommodation, ensuring fair and timely asylum processes, and fostering an environment of support and inclusion.

 

We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of young refugees and asylum seekers. Their futures depend on it, and so does our collective humanity.

 

If you or someone you know need information about the asylum process in the UK, please visit https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/.