According to the court appeal., the UK government's intention to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda is illegal in a massive blow to ministers' controversial immigration policies, which humanitarian organizations have denounced.
In a three-judge decision, the court overruled an earlier high court ruling that Rwanda could be regarded as a safe third nation to send refugees to.
"By a majority vote, this court grants the appeal on whether Rwanda is a safe third country." The other justifications are unanimously rejected," the decision adds. The British Home Office can now appeal to the Supreme Court.
Asylum seekers considered to have entered the UK illegally would be deported under the Conservative government's planned program.
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According to the ruling summary, sending asylum seekers to Rwanda would violate the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
However, the court's judgment "implies no view whatsoever about the political merits or otherwise of the Rwanda policy," according to the statement.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been a vocal supporter of the scheme, which aims to reduce the number of unauthorized migrants entering the country.
According to the government, the operation aims to disrupt people-smuggling networks and prevent migrants from undertaking the perilous maritime crossing from France to England.
The home secretary is part of many pro-Brexit politicians who believe Britain must "take control" of its borders.
She has been chastised for couching her agenda in blatant hyperbole, previously raging against an "invasion" of migrants.
Human rights activists applauded the verdict on Thursday, describing Rwanda's approach as unethical and counterproductive.
"This is a HUGE victory. "The UK wants hope, not hostility," tweeted Together with Refugees, a network of organizations advocating for the rights of asylum seekers.
Because of violence, global injustice, and the climate disaster, the number of illegal migrants entering Europe has skyrocketed this year, aggravating the continent's migrant dilemma.
According to UNHCR data, more than 36,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean from January to March this year, roughly twice the number in the same period in 2022.
