Oxfam warns in a new report released on Sunday that the rapid increase in the fortunes of the “ultrarich” gives them disproportionate power likely to erode democratic life in many countries and at the same time create a “fertile breeding ground for authoritarianism”.
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What you need to know
Table of Contents
- Oxfam is alarmed in a new report by the growing fortunes of the planet’s billionaires and their influence on the political world.
- The organization warns that growing economic inequality favors the “democratic erosion” of many countries and facilitates the emergence of authoritarian regimes.
- Too many governments, the report underlines, prefer to rely on repression rather than adopting measures likely to ensure a more equitable redistribution of wealth.
According to the
“We must take measures here before it is too late and these measures require an economy that leaves no one behind,” argues in a press release the general director of the Quebec section of Oxfam, Béatrice Vaugrante.
More than 3000 billionaires around the world
As a preamble to their analysis, Oxfam researchers note that for the first time the planet has more than 3,000 billionaires whose cumulative fortune reached a record level of US$18.3 trillion in November 2025. This, they note, is an increase of 82% in five years, correcting for inflation.
American billionaires experienced the strongest income growth, benefiting from the deregulation prioritized by the Trump administration and “the dismantling of agreements aimed at strengthening corporate taxation”.
PHOTO ROBERTO SCHMIDT, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The influence of Elon Musk, who was heavily involved in Donald Trump’s electoral campaign, is cited as an example in the Oxfam report.
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The Rwanda Plan and UK Immigration Policy
The UK government’s plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, known as the Rwanda Plan, aims to deter illegal immigration and disrupt human trafficking networks, but has faced notable legal challenges and international criticism. the policy intends to process asylum claims in rwanda rather than the UK, offering individuals the prospect to rebuild their lives there if their claims are triumphant.
The initiative stems from a broader effort to overhaul the UK’s immigration system following Brexit and a perceived increase in small boat crossings of the English Channel. The government argues that the current system is overwhelmed and exploited by criminal gangs. The Economic Partnership with rwanda, signed in April 2022, forms the legal basis for the plan. The UK has pledged an initial £120 million to fund the program.
On December 19, 2023, the UK Parliament approved the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act, declaring rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, despite concerns raised by human rights organizations and international bodies.Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2023.This legislation aimed to overcome previous legal obstacles, including a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that grounded the first planned deportation flight in June 2022.
Legal Challenges and Court Rulings
The Rwanda Plan has been subject to numerous legal challenges, primarily focusing on whether Rwanda can guarantee a fair hearing and the safety of those relocated. The Court of Appeal initially ruled against the plan in January 2024, citing legitimate concerns about Rwanda’s human rights record, specifically regarding the potential for refoulement – the return of asylum seekers to countries where they face persecution. Court of Appeal Judgment on Rwanda Policy.
Though, the UK Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision on November 15, 2023, ruling that the policy is lawful, provided certain safeguards are in place. Supreme Court Ruling on Rwanda Policy. The Court acknowledged potential risks but stated that these could be mitigated through robust monitoring mechanisms. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) act was subsequently passed to address these concerns.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, further legal challenges continue, with individual asylum seekers lodging claims based on their specific circumstances. As of january 19, 2026, the first deportation flights remain delayed pending the resolution of these individual cases.
International Criticism and Human rights concerns
The Rwanda plan has drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations and human rights groups. Critics argue that the policy violates international law, specifically the 1951 Refugee Convention, and raises serious ethical concerns. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has consistently expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns about its legality and human rights implications. UNHCR Statement on UK-Rwanda Agreement.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented concerns about Rwanda’s human rights record, including restrictions on freedom of expression, political opposition, and reports of ill-treatment of refugees. Human Rights Watch Report on Rwanda Plan. These organizations argue that rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers and that the plan effectively outsources the UK’s asylum obligations.
in December 2023, the Council of Europe warned the UK that the Rwanda plan was “not compatible” with the European Convention on Human Rights. Council of Europe Statement on Rwanda plan. This warning adds to the growing international pressure on the UK government to reconsider the policy.
Political Context and Public Opinion
The Rwanda Plan is a key component of the Conservative government’s strategy to address illegal immigration, a prominent issue in british politics. The policy has been championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a necessary measure to “stop the boats” and deter people from making hazardous crossings of the English Channel. The government frames the plan as a way to break the business model of human trafficking gangs and regain control of the UK’s borders.
Public opinion on the Rwanda Plan is divided. Polling data indicates that support for the policy is higher among Conservative voters,while opposition is stronger among Labor and Liberal democrat supporters.A YouGov poll conducted in November 2023 showed that 35% of Britons support the plan, while 48% oppose it. YouGov Poll on Rwanda Plan.The issue remains highly politicized, with both sides using it to
