REFUGEE rights groups have called an emergency demo outside the Rwandan High Commission in London next week against deportations of asylum-seekers to the country. 

At least 17 asylum-seekers, including Syrian nationals, have been notified by the Home Office that they will be deported to Rwanda on July 14, according to reports. 

On Wednesday, protesters will call on the Rwandan authorities to drop their “shameful” deal with Britain.

The demo has been called by the Movement for Justice group and is supported by the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees and Afghans Beyond Borders. 

Campaigner Karen Doyle, who has been supporting detainees facing deportation to the East African nation, said that they decided to target the Rwandan authorities because there are “two sides to this inhuman deal.”

“The Rwandan side has tried to spin it as a humanitarian effort, they are concerned about their image because of their aim to attract tourists,” she said. 

“That means we need to focus on getting Rwanda to drop this deal, expose it as the crime against humanity that it is. 

“If we can succeed in getting Rwanda to pull out, there are no other countries lining up to take Britain’s blood money for this deal which effectively destroys the right of asylum in Britain.”

Ms Doyle said that protesters will also be urging Arsenal FC to drop its tourism sponsorship deal with the Rwandan government over the deportations of asylum-seekers. 

It comes amid reports that asylum-seekers on hunger strike over plans to send them to Rwanda have been threatened by the Home Office with faster deportations. 

A letter sent to one detainee threatened to “prioritise” his removal if the group did not stop their hunger strike, the Guardian reported. 

The protest will be held at 4pm on June 8 outside 120-122 Seymour Place, London.