Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended Britain’s plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda, calling it a deal between two free nations that prioritize safeguarding the safety of their citizens. During a press conference at the Italian embassy in London, Meloni said it was wrong to label the move as a deportation and called out those who suggested that Rwanda is an unworthy or inadequate nation.
The right-wing leader’s comments came after she met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a two-day visit to London. Sunak’s government hopes to send thousands of migrants to Rwanda as part of a £120 million ($150 million) deal to deter asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel from France in small boats. Over 45,000 migrants arrived in the UK via this route in 2022.
Meloni’s defense of the move comes as lawyers for a group of asylum seekers challenged the UK government’s plan before the Court of Appeal in London, claiming that Rwanda is not a safe country. However, the Italian leader dismissed these concerns and urged people not to interpret the move in a racist way.
Italy, like the UK, is also facing a growing number of migrants crossing its borders. The country has seen a surge in arrivals compared to 2022, with almost 41,000 people landing in Italy so far in 2023, compared to 10,200 in the same period last year. Meloni has previously called on EU leaders to take stronger action to halt illegal immigration and prevent tragedies at sea, following a deadly shipwreck off the southern coast of Italy in February.
The UK’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda has been controversial, with critics claiming it is inhumane and a violation of international law. However, Meloni’s support for the move highlights the challenges faced by European countries in dealing with illegal immigration and the divergent approaches taken by different governments.
