{"id":892,"date":"2021-09-22T22:23:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T20:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/roosverbrugh\/?p=892"},"modified":"2021-12-30T12:22:31","modified_gmt":"2021-12-30T11:22:31","slug":"five-questions-on-the-current-boat-refugee-crisis-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/roosverbrugh\/892\/five-questions-on-the-current-boat-refugee-crisis-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Pushing back: UNHCR unhappy about UK’s new refugee approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concerns have risen at UN’s refugee organization UNHCR after news revealing UK\u2019s new refugee approach. The<\/strong> Nationality and Borders <\/em><\/strong>bill<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, currently discussed in Parliament, states a new pushback policy of refugees who are trying to reach the UK trough the Channel. Are these the first effects of Brexit on border policy? UNHCR Officer Matthew Saltmarsh shares his vision.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Recent updates show footage<\/a> of the UK Border Force, practicing pushbacks in the English Channel. The news didn\u2019t come as a surprise for UNHCR Senior External Relations Officer Matthew Salthmarsh, after home-secretary Priti Patel announced<\/a> she is preparing to send back refugee-boats who are crossing the Channel. \u201cThey are trading the border force in technique that would allow them in some situations to tow back boats in the UK waters. At UNHCR we are obviously very concerned about these reports, primarily because of the potential risks involved for those at sea, who are seeking safety. There is also a question of responsibility and maritime law. We think that Search and Rescue <\/em>has to take responsibility\u201d, according to Saltmarsh.<\/p>\n

Where do these boat-refugees come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recent numbers show that most refugees are nationals of Middle Eastern countries, specifically Iran. \u201cMost of the refugees who arrive do come from countries that are very unstable, or lie in conflicts\u201d, says Saltmarsh. He shares concerns of the situation. Because of travel restrictions during the pandemic, it has limited the ability of migrants who may have gone on to claim asylum in the UK. A new trend can be seen in the increase of people trying to reach land by small boats. A report<\/a> states a sharp rise in April 2020 in the number of entering the UK illegally by crossing the English Channel in small boats.<\/p>\n

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