Thu 09 September 2021:
Despite French officials’ warnings that it could endanger lives, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel intends to send tiny boats carrying migrants back across the Channel.
It would allow British officers to return small boats to French waters under pressure. It’s unclear whether the proposals include sending migrants back to France.
Border Force troops are being trained to deploy “turn-around” measures at sea as part of two-year plans, according to a statement from the Home Office.
Priti Patel’s plans to allow the UK Border Force to turn back boats carrying migrants across the English Channel have been condemned by the United Nations (UN).
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN’s refugee agency, said it was “extremely concerned” about the UK’s proposals to amend maritime legislation and send migrant boats back.
“We are particularly concerned by these reports, primarily because of the possible hazards associated for individuals at sea seeking safety,” a UNHCR spokeswoman said.
Senior law officials have been ordered by the Home Secretary to rewrite maritime legislation to allow the Border Force to intercept migrant boats and return them to French waters in order to push them back.
As a result, they’d have to deal with French authorities, causing Ms Patel’s French counterpart to dismiss the proposals outright.
Gérald Darmanin, France’s interior minister, accused the UK of “financial blackmail” and declared that any violations of maritime law would not be accepted.
(With inputs agencies)
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