The migrant crisis continues to escalate in the English Channel, with another boat passenger losing their life while attempting to cross from France to the UK. The latest death occurred shortly before European leaders convened at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) to discuss issues such as the ongoing crisis of illegal migration.
According to the PA news agency, 71 more migrants were rescued by French coastguards and another 13 were retrieved from the water by British Border Force personnel before being returned to France. This tragic incident follows closely on the heels of four other boat migrants who drowned in the English Channel less than a week ago.
During the EPC meeting, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the recent deaths, referring to them as “a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade.” Since taking office earlier this month, Starmer has abolished the long-delayed plan to send illegal boat migrants to Rwanda and is reportedly fast-tracking asylum requests for an estimated 90,000 illegals earmarked for removal to asylum processing centres in Africa.
Previously introduced by Boris Johnson in 2022, the Rwanda scheme was intended to act as a deterrent for future Channel crossings. However, it encountered numerous legal challenges, including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) intervening to halt the first removal flight to Rwanda in the summer of 2022.
Although Starmer has pledged not to withdraw from the ECHR, there is little appetite on the European continent for a policy of immediately returning migrants to France. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that while efforts are made to improve the situation, there is no “silver bullet” solution to end the crisis.
Despite committing to send France £500 million ($623 million) in aid to tackle illegal migration, it appears that European leaders remain uninterested in a policy of immediately returning migrants to their original departure point. Macron remarked: “Our willingness is constantly to improve the situation.” However, the number of migrant crossings has increased this year, demonstrating that current policies are not effectively addressing the issue.