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UK PM’s plan to push back refugee boats
The UK has vowed to forge ahead with refugee boat pushbacks in the English Channel – despite warnings it would lead to more drownings
Just last week – 27 migrants died trying to cross the English Channel after the their boat capsized, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson says distinctions will be made between legal and Illegal migrants
Boris Johnson doubled down on the plan to push back refugee boats coming across the English Channel – even as the proposals face multiple legal challenges.
New laws would make it illegal “facilitate the entry of Asylum seekers” by bringing them on shore – even if not done for payment or criminal gain. In effect, making the act of rescuing someone illegal.
However, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has bowed to public pressure and has tabled an amendment to protect the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and other charities from prosecution.
Footage taken several weeks ago has emerged purporting to show a lifeboat launch being prevented by a protester shouting anti-immigrant slogans
Recently a witness named only as Zoe called a radio station to say she saw fishermen preventing the lifeboat from leaving to attend a rescue.
However, local fishermen in the area told a local newspaper that the incident was being blown out of proportion.
One of them told a local newspaper they were throwing undersized fish back into the water when the lifeboat crew yelled at them to move – which the fishermen thought was rude and an argument broke out.
The same fishermen also said that the anti-immigrant chants were being shouted by a single passerby, unconnected to the group of fishermen.
The RNLI has become a bit of a polarised symbol in political discussions about asylum seekers crossing the channel.
Some anti-immigrant spokespeople, including Nigel Farage have labelled the lifeboat service ‘taxi service’ for migrants in the past
In response, the RNLI says it rescues anyone in distress at sea without judgement.