A UK minister has claimed that Rwanda is a “progressive” country where LGBTQ+ migrants will be safe, despite warnings from queer charities. Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson praised Rwanda’s record on LGBTQ+ rights on Tuesday (23 April) after the UK government passed its controversial bill to send asylum seekers to the East African nation. Despite the UK government itself admitting that LGBTQ+ people could face discrimination in Rwanda, Tomlinson described the country as “very progressive”. When asked if queer migrants could be safely sent to the country, Tomlinson reportedly replied: “Yes they can, because it’s set out within the constitution.”