The United Kingdom (U.K.) and France on Saturday, i.e., November 28, 2020 signed a new agreement to stop the refugees and migrants from crossing the English Channel.
The English Channel, also called Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Southern England from Northern France and links to the Southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its North Eastern end. It is the busiest shipping area in the world. A lot of migrants use the English Channel to enter U.K.
As per the agreement, the number of officers patrolling the French beaches would be doubled. This will bolster the patrolling of the 150-kilometre stretch of coastline regularly targeted by people-smuggling networks. The increased patrolling will enable quicker response rates to suspicious activity, stopping migrants leaving French beaches in the first place and preventing more dangerous and unnecessary crossings.
In addition, the patrolling teams would be provided cutting edge surveillance technology – including drones, radar equipment, optronic binoculars and fixed cameras.
The agreement was signed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department of U.K. – Priti Patel and the Interior Minister of France – Garald Darmanin. They have agreed to make the route unviable during a call. They signed an enhanced agreement which builds on the joint co-operation that has already seen the proportion of crossings intercepted and prevented rise from 41% in 2019 to 60% in recent weeks.
Speaking on the occasion, Priti Patel said, “Thanks to more police patrols on French beaches and enhanced intelligence sharing between our security and law enforcement agencies, we are already seeing fewer migrants leaving French beaches.”
Signing a new 🇬🇧🇫🇷 agreement to tackle small boat crossings.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) November 28, 2020
It will:
🔹 Double number of police on beaches in France
🔹 Increase surveillance with cutting-edge tech
🔹 Introduce greater security at ports
🔹 Ensure accommodation for migrants in Francehttps://t.co/vjG1KiTkep pic.twitter.com/COJ1jncjcC
Taking it to twitter, Priti Patel tweeted, “Signing a new agreement to tackle small boat crossings.
It will:
- Small blue diamond Double number of police on beaches in France
- Small blue diamond Increase surveillance with cutting-edge tech
- Small blue diamond Introduce greater security at ports
- Small blue diamond Ensure accommodation for migrants in France”
Sharing his thoughts, Darmanin tweeted (translated from French), “Conclusion with @pritipatel of an agreement to fight against irregular immigration which particularly affects @hautsdefrance:
- Right pointing backhand index Fight against smuggling networks
- Right pointing backhand index Additional staff to control the coastline
- Right pointing backhand index Better reception conditions for asylum seekers”
The U.K. and France have also agreed to continue a close dialogue to reduce migratory pressures at the shared border during the next year. This year, French authorities have stopped 5,000 people from travelling to the U.K. Over the last 10 years, U.K. had given France 150 million pounds (U.S. $ 177.9 million) to tackle immigration.
Separately, Immigration Enforcement have convicted 57 individuals for people smuggling this year, including those convicted of facilitating small boats for Channel crossings, resulting in sentencing of over 138 years. A further 46 people have been convicted of offences related to the small boat crossings. The total sentencing for small boats related convictions is over 26 years.
The French patrolling team have become more alert as they are now watching smaller boats which are preferred by migrants. Now, with this increased vigilance, migrants may opt for alternative routes such as cargo trucks. In that case, the border security has to be tightened up to stop migrants from entering U.K.
The agreement also includes steps to support migrants by providing them accommodation in France in order to prevent them from falling into the trap of criminal gangs. They will also be supported and advised on claiming asylum in a safe third country.
The U.K. is also planning to introduce a new asylum system through legislation next year. Meanwhile, the Amnesty International and other human rights groups have condemned the move and have suggested that U.K. should provide safe routes to people who want asylum in the U.K.
The agreement is subject to regular evaluation by the U.K.’s Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, Dan O’Mahoney and his counterpart in France.
