The UK Court of Appeal Monday upheld a High Court decision which will permit the first migrant deportation flight to Rwanda under a controversial new policy.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK and Rwanda for the provision of an asylum partnership arrangement was agreed upon on April 14th 2021. As part of the MoU, Britain will send some migrants who arrived by crossing the English Channel in small boats from Europe back to Rwanda.

Several human rights organisations have criticised the policy. The UNHCR has expressed “strong opposition and concerns for the United Kingdom’s plan to export its asylum obligations and urged the UK to refrain from transferring asylum seekers and refugees to Rwanda for asylum processing.”

In the judgment, Lord Justice Singh said the High Court “produced a detailed and careful judgment which is all the more impressive in view of the time constraints.” Singh concluded that he could not interfere with the original “clear and detailed” judgement and refused permission for further appeal. A full hearing on the legality of the policy is due to take place in July.