The UK has a moral responsibility to protect refugees making the dangerous journey across the channel
4 years, 4 months ago

The UK has a moral responsibility to protect refugees making the dangerous journey across the channel

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Over the last four days, 677 refugees have arrived on the Kent coast, having made the dangerous journey across the channel from Northern France. This situation compels people to make dangerous journeys to seek adequate safety, and also leaves refugees with no reasonable alternatives but to risk their lives on perilous journeys across the channel. Yet, it is hard to suggest that this figure is too large for the UK to accept when we expect far less affluent and secure states in the Global South to host far greater numbers: 85 per cent of the world’s refugees are currently hosted in developing states, and Lebanon, for example, a country approximately the size of Wales, with a GDP 50 times smaller than the UK, hosts nearly one million refugees. It would require the UK to stop creating a hostile and dangerous environment for refugees in Northern France.

Refugees Safe Channel Dangerous Northern France Calais Crs  voices  dangerous  responsibility  sign  safety  making  moral  routes  channel  crs  uk  human  safe  refugees  journey  protect

History of this topic

3 die off northern France coast in a Channel crossing attempt
1 week, 4 days ago

3 die off northern France coast in a Channel crossing attempt

Associated Press  

PARIS — At least three migrants died early Sunday while attempting to cross the English Channel to Britain from northern France, authorities said. “There were more people attempting to board than the boat could hold,” he said during a press conference Sunday. “This morning, lives have been lost at sea because ruthless criminals running the small boat trade are overloading …

France can no longer bear ‘entire burden’ of defending UK border, warns minister on migrant crisis
1 month, 1 week ago

France can no longer bear ‘entire burden’ of defending UK border, warns minister on migrant crisis

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Bruno Retailleau, the new French interior minister, warned on Friday that Britain could no …

Furious French mayors accuse UK of ‘being in denial’ over migrant crossings in demand over cross-border deal
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Furious French mayors accuse UK of ‘being in denial’ over migrant crossings in demand over cross-border deal

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has brushed off calls from the French mayors They …

Five migrants die in first known Channel crossing deaths of the year
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Five migrants die in first known Channel crossing deaths of the year

The Telegraph  

Five migrants have died and a sixth in critical condition after trying to reach Britain from northern France despite freezing temperatures, the French maritime authority said. Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said the “heartbreaking” deaths of five migrants as they tried to cross the English Channel showed “we’ve got to stop the boats”. “But it just shows we’ve got to …

Government under pressure to offer asylum seekers ‘safe passage to our shores’
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Government under pressure to offer asylum seekers ‘safe passage to our shores’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Safe routes are essential if we truly want to stop people having to take …

French report says the UK isn’t cooperating enough to curb migrant crossings across the Channel
1 year ago

French report says the UK isn’t cooperating enough to curb migrant crossings across the Channel

Associated Press  

PARIS — The United Kingdom is not sufficiently coordinating with France in efforts to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, according to a French report that points to the “uncertain effectiveness” of illegal migration policies. The court “found that the British don’t provide usable information on the departures of small boats, and give very …

The UK’s hardline immigration chief says international rules make it too easy to seek asylum
1 year, 3 months ago

The UK’s hardline immigration chief says international rules make it too easy to seek asylum

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s immigration minister argued Tuesday that international refugee rules must be rewritten to reduce the number of people entitled to protection, as the Conservative government seeks international support for its tough stance on unauthorized migration. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said people who faced discrimination for their gender or sexuality should not be granted asylum unless they were “fleeing …

Lawmakers say UK’s planned law to deport Channel migrants breaches rights obligations
1 year, 6 months ago

Lawmakers say UK’s planned law to deport Channel migrants breaches rights obligations

Associated Press  

LONDON — A committee of British lawmakers said Sunday that the U.K. will break its international human rights commitments if it goes through with government plans to detain and deport people who cross the English Channel in small boats. Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights said the Illegal Migration Bill “breaches a number of the U.K.’s international human rights obligations …

Explained: UK’s asylum plan to stop Channel crossings and why it is so controversial
1 year, 10 months ago

Explained: UK’s asylum plan to stop Channel crossings and why it is so controversial

Firstpost  

Britain is facing domestic and international backlash after unveiling its Illegal Migration Bill, which aims to overhaul the way it handles migrants crossing the Channel on small boats. The British government contends that the current ‘broken’ asylum system is costing taxpayers £3 billion annually London: Britain is facing a domestic and international backlash after unveiling contentious legislation to overhaul the …

Why are migrants in small boats a heated issue in the UK?
1 year, 10 months ago

Why are migrants in small boats a heated issue in the UK?

Associated Press  

LONDON — The message to asylum-seekers from British Home Secretary Suella Braverman was stark: “If you enter Britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed.” The government hopes that decisive — and divisive — measure will stop tens of thousands of migrants reaching Britain in boats across the English Channel. The British government says many of those making the …

UK says plan to stop Channel migrants pushes bounds of law
1 year, 10 months ago

UK says plan to stop Channel migrants pushes bounds of law

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government said Tuesday that it was ready for human-rights legal challenges to a tough new law intended to stop tens of thousands of migrants a year reaching the country in small boats across the English Channel. “If you enter Britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed,” Braverman told lawmakers in the House of Commons …

UK says plan to stop Channel crossings pushes bounds of law
1 year, 10 months ago

UK says plan to stop Channel crossings pushes bounds of law

Al Jazeera  

The UK is unveiling details of proposed law, which has been heavily criticised by refugee rights groups. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said on Tuesday that the government had “pushed the boundaries of international law” with a bill that will bar asylum claims by anyone who reaches the UK by unauthorised means, and will compel the government to detain and then …

How does the UK government plan to stop the Channel crossings?
1 year, 10 months ago

How does the UK government plan to stop the Channel crossings?

Al Jazeera  

Newly proposed legislation would mean unauthorised arrivals will be prevented from claiming asylum and deported. Home secretary Suella Braverman admitted on Tuesday that the government had “pushed the boundaries of international law” with a bill dubbed the “Illegal Migration Bill” that will bar asylum claims by anyone who reaches the UK by irregular means, and allow the authorities to deport …

UK aims to deport Channel migrants, but critics skeptical
1 year, 10 months ago

UK aims to deport Channel migrants, but critics skeptical

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government said Monday it will introduce legislation to ban anyone who arrives in the U.K. in small boats across the English Channel from ever settling in the country. The government said a bill — expected to be announced Tuesday — will bar asylum claims by anyone who reaches Britain by unauthorized means, and will compel the …

U.K. aims to deport migrants who cross the English Channel
1 year, 10 months ago

U.K. aims to deport migrants who cross the English Channel

LA Times  

A group of people believed to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, aboard a Border Force vessel after a small- boat incident in the English Channel on March 6, 2023. The British government said Monday that it will introduce legislation to ban anyone who arrives in the U.K. in small boats across the English Channel from settling in …

France and UK sign agreement to curb Channel crossings
2 years, 1 month ago

France and UK sign agreement to curb Channel crossings

Associated Press  

PARIS — The U.K. and France signed an agreement Monday that will see more police patrol beaches in northern France in an attempt to stop migrants from trying to cross the English Channel in small boats — a regular source of friction between the two. As scores of people were picked up and brought ashore Monday by a U.K. Border …

France and U.K. sign agreement to curb English Channel crossings
2 years, 1 month ago

France and U.K. sign agreement to curb English Channel crossings

The Hindu  

The U.K. and French interior ministers signed an agreement on Monday that will see more police patrol beaches in northern France in an attempt to stop people trying to cross the English Channel in small boats — a regular source of friction between the two countries. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the deal would mean “for the first time, …

Asylum-seekers’ human rights ‘routinely abused’ in Calais, Rishi Sunak warned
2 years, 2 months ago

Asylum-seekers’ human rights ‘routinely abused’ in Calais, Rishi Sunak warned

The Independent  

People seeking to make the treacherous journey across the Channel to seek asylum in Britain are experiencing “routine” human rights abuses in northern France, charities have warned Rishi Sunak. “During these evictions, people’s limited personal belongings – tents, blankets, bags, identity papers, mobile phones, medicines and clothes – are often destroyed on the spot or thrown into skips,” Mr Sunak …

Suella Braverman’s ban on Channel migrants claiming asylum would be barbaric and unlawful, charities say
2 years, 3 months ago

Suella Braverman’s ban on Channel migrants claiming asylum would be barbaric and unlawful, charities say

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A potential “ban” …

UK to seek asylum ban on refugees crossing the English Channel
2 years, 3 months ago

UK to seek asylum ban on refugees crossing the English Channel

Al Jazeera  

Home secretary wants blanket ban on anyone entering the UK irregularly, such as on small boats crossing from France. British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has set out plans for new powers which would ban refugees who cross the English Channel from claiming asylum and said it was her “dream” to see a government flight deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. “I …

France condemns ‘inhumane’ British policy on Ukrainian refugees
2 years, 10 months ago

France condemns ‘inhumane’ British policy on Ukrainian refugees

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. French interior minister Gerald Darmanin on Sunday said it …

Channel boat push-backs are unlawful and will endanger lives, government told
3 years, 1 month ago

Channel boat push-backs are unlawful and will endanger lives, government told

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Government plans to push migrant boats back to France while …

Channel refugee tragedy tests fragile French-UK ties, fuels fears
3 years, 1 month ago

Channel refugee tragedy tests fragile French-UK ties, fuels fears

Al Jazeera  

French President Macron has slammed UK PM Johnson over his handling of the crisis while NGOs raise alarm. Almost immediately after Wednesday’s incident, the deadliest accident on the route since the International Organization for Migration Channel began collecting Channel data in 2014, the focus shifted towards culpability, with Paris and London trading blame. “This tragedy must represent a turning point …

Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats
3 years, 1 month ago

Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats

Associated Press  

LONDON — The deaths of at least 27 people in the English Channel is fueling tensions between the U.K. and France over how to stop migrants from crossing the world’s busiest shipping route in small boats. Despite a pledge from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron that they would “do everything possible” to stop people smugglers …

Deadliest Channel refugee tragedy raises alarm in France, UK
3 years, 1 month ago

Deadliest Channel refugee tragedy raises alarm in France, UK

Al Jazeera  

At least 27 refugees and migrants drowned on Wednesday, including three children, renewing humanitarian concerns and a diplomatic battle. Britain and France are looking at new measures to limit migration across the English Channel and break people-smuggling networks after at least 27 refugees and migrants – including three children and a pregnant woman – drowned off the northern French coast. …

Deaths in English Channel fuel U.K.-France tensions over migrant boats
3 years, 1 month ago

Deaths in English Channel fuel U.K.-France tensions over migrant boats

LA Times  

A group of people believed to be migrants is transported to Dover, England, via lifeboat on Thursday. Despite a pledge from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron that they would “do everything possible” to stop people smugglers from endangering lives, politicians on both sides of the channel are already blaming their counterparts for failing to prevent …

France not stopping Channel migrants, despite getting £54 million to fight illegal crossings
3 years, 5 months ago

France not stopping Channel migrants, despite getting £54 million to fight illegal crossings

The Telegraph  

The French authorities have told Britain they will not stop migrants at sea, despite receiving £54 million from the UK to combat illegal Channel migration. Calais MP Pierre-Henri Dumont said French vessels would not intervene to halt migrants boats, and would instead allow them safe passage unless they specifically asked the French for help. On Wednesday, Tory MPs warned the …

Nearly 600 migrants attempt to cross Channel in 72 hours
3 years, 7 months ago

Nearly 600 migrants attempt to cross Channel in 72 hours

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 600 migrants have attempted to cross the English Channel …

Migrants crossing English Channel should be returned to France, say Tory MPs
3 years, 7 months ago

Migrants crossing English Channel should be returned to France, say Tory MPs

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. She said: “That means tackling the criminal gangs at source, doing more to stop …

‘Inhumane’: UK plan for tougher asylum system draws criticism
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Inhumane’: UK plan for tougher asylum system draws criticism

Al Jazeera  

The government is attempting crack down on people who arrive by unauthorised routes, such as in small boats or in trucks. Home Secretary Priti Patel said asylum-seekers who come to Britain through organised, Those who enter the country otherwise will only be given temporary permission to stay, will receive limited benefits and will be “regularly reassessed for removal from the …

Channel crossings: Patel warned against arrests of migrants who face risk of exploitation in France
4 years, 3 months ago

Channel crossings: Patel warned against arrests of migrants who face risk of exploitation in France

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference on Sunday, she vowed to introduce “firm and …

France rebuffs UK's drone offer to stop Channel migrants leaving beaches in first place
4 years, 3 months ago

France rebuffs UK's drone offer to stop Channel migrants leaving beaches in first place

The Telegraph  

France is rebuffing Britain’s offer of a hi-tech surveillance drone to help stop Channel migrants leaving its beaches despite the craft’s success in smashing a people smuggling gang. Dan O'Mahoney, the Home Office’s new migrants commander, met with French ambassador Catherine Colonna yesterday to urge her Government to step up its surveillance effort by using the UK’s Tekever AR5 drone …

Channel Crossings: Boris Johnson calls for legal change to 'send away' more asylum seekers amid surge in migrant boats
4 years, 4 months ago

Channel Crossings: Boris Johnson calls for legal change to 'send away' more asylum seekers amid surge in migrant boats

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Boris Johnson called crossing the English Channel a "very bad and stupid and dangerous …

Analysis shows 7,500 illegal Channel migrants could reach UK by Christmas
4 years, 5 months ago

Analysis shows 7,500 illegal Channel migrants could reach UK by Christmas

The Telegraph  

French authorities do intercept some vessels but, when migrants refuse and threaten to jump into the water, the patrol boats withdraw as the preservation of life is the first law of the sea. However, Ms Patel has said UK legal advice suggested the migrants could be forcibly returned and has already overseen sea trials in which Border Force officers worked …

Ministers demand French get tough on Channel migrants
4 years, 5 months ago

Ministers demand French get tough on Channel migrants

The Telegraph  

Britain is to demand that the French crackdown on migrants making repeat attempts to cross the Channel intensifies, by forcing migrants to face "real consequences" when caught. In a meeting next week with his French counterparts, immigration minister Chris Philp will tell the French authorities that every migrant caught trying to cross the Channel should be fingerprinted so they can …

Brexit no detour for migrants hoping to cross Channel to UK
4 years, 11 months ago

Brexit no detour for migrants hoping to cross Channel to UK

Associated Press  

CALAIS, France — Migrants and refugees waiting by the French side of the English Channel say Brexit hasn’t derailed their determination to cross over to pursue better lives in Britain. Brexit taking effect late Friday doesn’t appear so far to have dented the will of the desperate people from outside Europe who made it to Calais to make an end …

Calais camp evictions fuelling rise in Channel crossings as situation reaches tipping point, say charities
5 years, 3 months ago

Calais camp evictions fuelling rise in Channel crossings as situation reaches tipping point, say charities

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Large-scale evictions of makeshift refugee …

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