Sky News: The Home Officer worker – who we have agreed to give anonymity to – has been in the asylum department for a number of years and spoke to us just days before the first flight is due to leave
A Home Officer worker has told Sky News they feel ashamed to work for the government because of its plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
They told us there is “disbelief” at the policy within their department – likening it to a form of human trafficking.
The worker – who we have agreed to give anonymity to – has been in the asylum department for a number of years and spoke to us exclusively just days before the first flight is due to leave.
They told us: “We should offer sanctuary and provide safe haven for those who need it but it feels like we are taking part in human trafficking – transporting people against their will and paying another country to take them.
Rwanda policy is ‘disgraceful’
“I think this policy is disgraceful to be honest. Since the Windrush scandal we are meant to be making ethical policy-making decisions and to create a less hostile environment.
“It is not only just going to create more hurt for those individuals but internally for the department – despite raising concerns about it, we are being told it’s our duty as civil servants to implement the policy irrespective of our concerns around it.”
The Home Office worker also told us internally staff have raised concerns with the Permanent Secretary in the Home Office around how the policy is going to be implemented; whether it is legal; and the impact on families, children, and LGBTQ asylum seekers.
They said: “The majority of staff who work for the Home Office are trying to do a job that means the UK provides safety for refugees from across the world – we are in it to try and make people’s lives better.
“But we feel like we are being forced to implement a policy that is the opposite of that and most staff disagree with that and fear that it will put people’s lives at risk rather than properly welcoming people into the UK.”
He has told he has a luggage allowance of 25 kilos but will have to make his own arrangements for excess baggage.
He refused to sign the form.
‘My safety in Rwanda cannot be guaranteed’
Speaking through an interpreter from the detention centre he said: “It’s so terrible that I can’t even define it. The whole situation. I cannot even think about it (going to Rwanda).”
I ask him if that’s because he’s afraid.
“Certainly,” he says, explaining he is afraid of an uncertain future and what will happen to his wife and children and what will happen in the future.
“I have no connection to Rwanda. My safety in Rwanda cannot be guaranteed. I prefer to be back in Iran – I know it’s certain death for me in Iran but I’d rather have that then going to Rwanda”, he said.
Asked what his message is to the British government he said: “I think either this government accepts asylum seekers then they should allow them to prove their case or otherwise they should declare we will not accept asylum seekers under any conditions.”
A Home Office spokesperson told us the Home Office is committed to constructive and open conversations with staff on its policies and said: “Our world-leading partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy to overhaul the broken asylum system and break the evil people-smugglers’ business model.
“We have now issued formal directions to the first group of people due to be relocated to Rwanda, where those recognised as refugees or otherwise eligible to settle there will be given the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“This marks a critical step towards operationalising the policy and we remain fully committed to working with Rwanda to offer safety to those seeking asylum and ultimately save lives.”
