Humanitarians Demand End of 'Hostile' UK Policies After 27 Migrants Perish in English Channel

CommonDreams · 2021-11-25T13:35:50.348Z

Originally published at: Humanitarians Demand End of ‘Hostile’ UK Policies After 27 Migrants Perish in English Channel

wingsofadove · 2021-11-25T14:01:20.493Z

This is one of the reasons for leaving the EU. Not obliged to take any refugees.
And let’s not forget the refugees dying/drowning in the Mediterranean.

alanjjohnston · 2021-11-25T14:16:49.497Z

As a signatory to the refugee convention of 1951, the UK is under an international obligation to offer sanctuary to refugees. That treaty permits the seeking asylum to arrive in any manner, legal or illegal way as they deem fit, and forbids pushing them back to where they came from.

But to end the tragedies we have witnessed, the simplest thing is to lift the restrictions on airlines and ferry operators forbidding travel without visas and have reception centers at the airports and ports to assess the claims with respect and dignity.

If the refugees can afford the hundreds and thousands of Euros charged by the people-smugglers, they should be legally allowed to purchase tickets to take them to the destination they wish to go for and make an application to the immigration officer at the arrivals gate and no longer risk their and their families lives.

It is not rocket science, and only takes political will and not pandering to a xenophobic public opinion.

And it is shameful of Priti Patel, a beneficiary of more liberal times concerning immigration, to pull up the drawbridge to Fortress UK

BigB · 2021-11-25T15:36:13.836Z

And these are just some of the dead that we know about. Imagine just how many bodies of climate refugees litter the back water routes many use to escape the heat, drought, and war caused by the deteriorating weather conditions in the equatorial regions.
This is only the beginning. Far too many of those in the next generation will know the smell of rotting human flesh as a matter of course.
Happy thanksgiving Americans!

wingsofadove · 2021-11-25T16:41:00.264Z

alanjjohnston:

But to end the tragedies we have witnessed, the simplest thing is to lift the restrictions on airlines and ferry operators forbidding travel without visas and have reception centers at the airports and ports to assess the claims with respect and dignity.

And who is responsible for that? And now with the required vaccine passports, how is that going to work? These hapless people are escaping countries who probably do not have the “luxury” of such an item.

alanjjohnston · 2021-11-25T17:04:12.262Z

Perhaps we have crossed lines.

I am explaining that the best way to end the unnecessary deaths is to permit asylum seekers (and climate refugees and economic migrants) to use the normal means to travel.

Yes, the pandemic has added an extra complexity but the misery of the refugees began well before its arrival.

As I said, many refugees have the finance to become bonafide travellers and that includes becoming vaccinated. Those who aren’t will be treated the same as any unvaccinated national citizen has been on arrival, quarantined.

There are reasons why many are heading for the UK - existing family connections, language, and historical association with ex-colonies. It certainly isn’t the UK far from generous welfare benefits given to asylum seekers awaiting permission to stay.

The numbers granted asylum in the UK are also fewer than in other European countries.

wingsofadove · 2021-11-25T18:28:39.943Z

We have no crossed lines. We have crossed ideals.
It seems you imagine a perfect world where everything is attainable by “conformed” ways.
Do you really believe the people risking their lives would do so if they had the alternative of booking an airline ticket?
Why are there “caravans” of South Americans heading to the USA?
It’s “gang warfare”, “famine”, “drought”, “climate breakdown” driving them.
NOT an association with “language”, “family” or “history”.
It’s “consequences” of the West’s previous lust for wealth and control.

alanjjohnston · 2021-11-26T00:08:50.729Z

Then you are purposely misinterpreting what I have posted for whatever reason

I know damn well that refugees and migrants don’t have the opportunity and freedom to purchase travel tickets. That is my exact point. They could if they were permitted to but airlines and ferries are not allowed to let them board without the relevant travel documents.

I was specifically referring to the English Channel catastrophe and its immediate cause. Why they are doing their utmost to reach the UK having crossed EU countries where they receive probably better treatment than from the UK from what a official policy called creating a “hostile environment”? What part of Fortress UK do you not understand?

Europe too has erected walls and fences and paying Libya and Turkey and Greece millions of dollars to act as gate-keepers. Out of sight, out of mind

I know full well why people around the world are up-rooting themselves and their families and desperately fleeing to other parts of the world for a safe haven. Wars and civil conflicts, Economic exploitation of their natural resources. Countries that have societal collapse. And it will only worsen with climate change.

The Middle East , Afghanistan, the Sahel, Central and South America. We know where the part played by geo-political games of the Big Powers in the pursuit of profits and strategic advantages.

My ideals are very simple. No Borders. I’m in the World Socialist Movement working for that. What political organisation are you in?

Sirios · 2021-11-26T06:23:11.327Z

Wait, illegal immigration has “legal routes” ?

fern · 2021-11-26T07:18:16.787Z

They were going to the UK from France, why didn’t France help legalize their status? There should be an ecologic assessment with these decisions as all places are impacted by climate change.

wingsofadove · 2021-11-26T15:26:13.537Z

No Alan I am not deliberately misinterpreting your post. But I asked you who is responsible for the visas. And of course It’s the British embassy in whichever country. So I doubt visas would be given to let’s say a family of 5 in Damascus. Ergo desperate people are left with the dangerous alternative.
I don’t really give myself a political label. I just believe in fairness and dignity for anyone. (And the right to choose.)

Threetrees · 2021-11-26T16:03:28.558Z

If the developed nations don’t want refugees, stop interfering with the third world countries, supporting dictators, and robbing their resources. Maybe even help them to improve their governments , economies, etc.
Take a lesson from Henry Ford.

alanjjohnston · 2021-11-26T20:00:48.972Z

And if you read my posts you would have noted that I clearly stated that there should be no requirement for airlines or ferries to insist upon visas. That applications for asylum should be made upon arrival.

I suggested a change of regulations that could be implemented today to remove any risk for refugees. But for some reason, you seem to wish to create a disagreement.

And you are aware that embassies are not always open. FYI, the UK embassy in Damascus is closed.

Also, it may take 6 months for the asylum process, which is a bureaucratic farce in a crisis struck country.

SuspiraDeProfundis · 2021-11-29T15:39:19.290Z

The UK , much like France , was all too eager to destroy Libya and Syria . France still drains hundreds of Billions a year from its ex colonies in Africa as “compensation” for property losses when those Countries gained independence.

EU based Corporations are still in Africa draining wealth from Countries there so as to fatten the coffers of their Corporations.

There are consequences to these actions and closing borders to refugees is another example as to how they still do not get it.