Three hours ago, Azhagu and Mayur, migrants transferred from British territory Diego Garcia, shared their feelings of isolation and insecurity in Rwanda. They described the African country as an “open prison”, where they face harassment and unwanted advances on the streets. Despite receiving financial support for essentials, they are not allowed to work and feel “self-imprisoned”, too scared to leave their homes. The migrants, all Sri Lankan Tamils with complex medical needs, say they are not receiving proper medical treatment in Rwanda. They have been living in two flats on the outskirts of Kigali, paid for by British authorities. Despite their legal status not being the same as asylum seekers flown to Rwanda from the UK, they feel unsafe and vulnerable. The group’s concerns about safety have not been shared by Rwandan officials, who defend their country’s medical system. The migrants, who have had their claims for international protection approved by the British Indian Ocean Territory administration, cannot be returned to Sri Lanka but the UK has refused to take them in. The group has faced incidents of harassment and break-ins in Rwanda, leading them to feel scared and isolated. Despite some positive interactions, they say their negative experiences have compounded past trauma and left them feeling frightened.
