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LONDON — A U.K. immigration minister today said the government will not amend its proposal that would allow border officials to push back small boats carrying undocumented migrants across the English Channel.
Opposition MPs have tabled amendments to the Nationalities and Borders bill, due to conclude its passage through the House of Commons next week, which are aimed at reducing the risk to life posed by pushback tactics. For instance, opposition lawmakers want the bill to ban pushbacks against unseaworthy vessels.
Asked if the government would accept these amendments, Home Office minister Tom Pursglove said such changes are not necessary. Any decision on the use of pushbacks, Pursglove said, would be made by operational commanders at sea on the basis of their experience, and the operational model developed by the department takes safety into account.
“I am confident that the operating model already takes proper account of that issue,” Pursglove told parliament’s joint committee on human rights.
In a report Wednesday, the committee warned the government proposal to push back small boats could breach Britain’s human rights obligations and urged ministers to prioritize other measures that avoid compromising people’s safety at sea.
The legislation comes amid an increase in the number of small boats attempting the journey from France to the U.K., and after at least 27 migrants drowned in French waters in the Channel last week.
The tragedy bolstered efforts from various European countries to tackle Channel crossings. U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel is due to meet Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese in Rome Thursday for talks on the issue.
Source: Politico
