The British government adheres to a strict asylum policy despite the tragedy on the Channel

Early Saturday morning, the migrant boat ran into trouble off the coast of Calais. About fifty people on board the sunken barge were rescued, but six more. Help from the British and French coast guards came too late. Some people are still missing. Boat made as per mail on sunday Part of a small fleet escorted by a French Navy ship into British waters.

Because of the good summer weather, many refugees and other migrants have made the crossing in recent weeks. On Thursday, 755 people arrived on fourteen different boats, a record this year. This brings the total number of people who have reached the UK in this way in the past five years to more than 100,000.

reception crisis

Just like the Netherlands, the British also experience a favorable reception for asylum seekers. Last Monday, the Bibby Stockholm was used as an emergency shelter, but so far it has been found to be failing. On Saturday, the controversial asylum boat, which is supposed to provide space for 500 people, was evacuated after Legionella was found in its water mains. The Bibby Stockholm, which is moored in Portland, southern England, is expected to be out of circulation for weeks.

The first 39 residents reacted differently to their new place of residence last week. One described it as a floating prison, and another thought it was “a very nice place”. Despite hygiene problems and criticism from refugee organisations, the government wants to convert more boats into reception sites.

The current reception in hotels is very expensive and unpopular. This is why the Home Office is also considering vacant office buildings and student homes as possible sites. The ministry also still wants to send asylum seekers to reception centers in Rwanda, Africa. Last year, a judge called off that plan at the last minute, but an appeal is in the works. Secretary of State for Immigration Robert Jenrick said that in relation to him “everything necessary” would be done to implement asylum schemes and discourage cross-channel migration.

“NastyParty”

Some conservative politicians urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, but the idea was met with criticism within the party. Former Attorney General David Lidington said: Watchman Many of the people who voted for the Conservatives would find such an extreme move objectionable. “They want to see a party that respects treaties and defends human rights,” he said. Lidington, who is on the social-liberal wing of the ruling party, warned that the Tories would again be considered “evil partyDirty party.

Sunak, who is currently on vacation in California, announced that he has no intention of going that far. Abolishing the European Convention on Human Rights would jeopardize the Brexit agreement. However, during a heated question hour in the House of Commons, Sunak recently criticized “left-wing lawyers” who, he says, are thwarting his policy against illegal immigration. Interior Minister Soella Braverman, in turn, spoke of “a cabal of left-wing lawyers, civil servants and Labor activists”.