Last month, the Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful, citing potential human rights breaches. The new treaty includes measures to ensure the safety of asylum seekers and prevent the risk of refoulement.

The policy, which was first announced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in April 2022, is part of the UK government's efforts to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. However, legal challenges and concerns about human rights violations have repeatedly delayed its implementation.

The Supreme Court rejected the policy on the grounds that there was no guarantee that the Rwandan government would adhere to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of asylum seekers to a country where they may face harm. In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to work on a new treaty with Rwanda and proposed emergency legislation to establish the country as a safe destination for relocated individuals.

To solidify the agreement, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly traveled to Kigali and signed the legally binding treaty alongside Rwanda's foreign affairs minister, Vincent Biruta, on Tuesday. This treaty introduces a new appeal body composed of judges with asylum expertise from various countries to hear individual cases. Additionally, an independent monitoring committee will be responsible for overseeing Rwanda's asylum system and enforcing the treaty.

The UK government maintains that the new treaty guarantees the safety of individuals relocated to Rwanda, ensuring they will not be returned to a country where their life or freedom is at risk. The treaty also allows relocated individuals and their legal representatives to lodge complaints through the established monitoring committee.

Speaking at a press conference in Rwanda's capital, Home Secretary Cleverly emphasized the treaty's comprehensive address of the Supreme Court's concerns, expressing confidence in its domestic legislation adaptation. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Rwanda's government highlighted their track record of providing refuge to refugees, stating that the treaty reaffirms existing commitments to asylum seeker protection.

The asylum policy has incurred a cost of at least £140 million for the UK government so far, but Cleverly clarified that no additional funds were paid to Rwanda for the new treaty. He further defended Rwanda's handling of asylum cases, asserting the country's strong reputation for humanity and expressing hope for the quick implementation of the scheme.

Conservative MPs aligned with the government's stance on migrant boat crossings are pressuring Prime Minister Sunak to take action. In response, the government is planning to introduce new legislation in order to avoid further legal challenges to the Rwanda scheme.

The signing of the new treaty between the UK and Rwanda represents a significant step towards addressing the concerns raised by the Supreme Court and moving forward with the government's asylum policy. The measures outlined in the treaty aim to ensure the safety and protection of asylum seekers while deterring illegal crossings and promoting a fair and transparent asylum system.