Guardian: Asylum seekers on boats to Britain not deterred by Rwanda plan

published

by the British newspaper The Guardian said that 75% of asylum seekers in northern France will try to reach the United Kingdom despite British government plans to transfer them to Rwanda.

Those in northern France who hope to cross the canal in small boats are unlikely to be deterred by the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, according to a survey that found 75% of them said they would continue to attempt the journey.

The rapid survey of more than 60 asylum seekers in Calais and Dunkirk was carried out by the charity Care4Calais, which provides practical support to asylum seekers both in northern France and in the UK.

controversial scheme

When the UK government announced plans to transfer some asylum seekers to Rwanda on 14 April, ministers emphasized that the controversial scheme would act as a deterrent to asylum seekers planning to cross the canal in small boats.

Asylum seekers who spoke to Care for Calais said they were still ready to take their chances.

One of them said, "I'm willing to take a risk. Everyone is afraid in the camp but I don't think it will affect the decision to cross the canal."

Another said, "Rwanda is not good... We are taking the risk to have a safe life."

The report added that many of those interviewed from Sudan or South Sudan were terrified at the prospect of being sent back to a country not far from the starting point of their journey, especially after enduring the difficulties of transit through Libya, where many had to deal with smugglers, and the dangerous crossing across the Mediterranean to Italy.

Hundreds of people crossed the Channel after the decision was made

More than 250 people crossed the canal in small boats on Sunday after an 11-day hiatus due to bad weather, although the British government claimed its Rwanda plan had already had a deterrent effect.

The last crossings, before the resumption of the activity of small boats on Sunday on the canal, on April 19, when 263 people crossed in 7 boats.

It is reported that plans to move abroad are subject to many legal challenges.

Several refugee advocacy organisations, including Care for Calais, said they were challenging the failure to publish details of the policy and the government's decision to penalize asylum seekers on the basis of illegal entry into the UK.

Care for Calais launched a mass legal action campaign and condemned the impact of the plans on asylum seekers on both sides of the canal.

The organizations have sounded the alarm since the government announced its plans to move people to Rwanda. Dozens of asylum seekers have reportedly disappeared from hotels across the UK where they are received by the Home Office, because they fear they will be arrested and taken to Rwanda.