Charity organizations have stated that 31 deaths in the English Channel were preventable and that the government “learned nothing”.
A rubber dinghy carrying 34 people was lost as it attempted to make the dangerous journey from France to the UK.
The Dover Strait disaster, which was the worst migrant disaster ever recorded, claimed many lives, including an unborn child.
Care4Calais refugee charity will hold a vigil in Parliament Square for the memory of those who have died. Another one is planned in Dunkirk in France.
The government expressed its sympathy for the families of the victims and said that it was thinking about them.
Zana Mamand Mohammed, whose brother was killed in the disaster, stated: “My teenage brother. One year after your disappearance I have tried nonstop to find any information about you and have knocked at every door.
“I stare at my phone, hoping to receive a call or message from you.” I will do my best to get justice for you and all your friends.
Immediately after the incident, there was outrage and politicians on both sides of the Channel quickly condemned the traffickers and demanded solutions.
However, in the 365 days that have passed since the drowning of those 31 people, almost 44,000 people have crossed the treacherous crossing. And the number is only increasing, according to data provided by the PA news agency.
Sky News’ Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive at Refugee Action, stated that “the government has not learned anything from last year’s tragedy.”
He accused the government, of continuing to “pile hostile on people seeking asylum”.
He said: “There are no safe routes to the UK for most people, a snowballing backup, tens and thousands of people stored in hotels, hundreds of millions wasted in a Rwanda deal and drones, a ban on work, and other cruel and ineffective disincentives.
“This hostility only makes it more probable that there will be tragedy – whether in Channel or among those seeking asylum in poverty and isolation in UK.”
Continue reading: Braverman fails explain how an asylum seeker could legally and safely get to the UK
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player
An initial report on the tragedy stated that British and French emergency services had shared responsibility for the terrible incident.
According to the report, passengers called for help at 2AM, then continued calling for help for nearly two hours, begging them to stop.
Sky News’ Steve Valdez Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, said that “Today, we remember men and women who died in Channel while seeking safety in UK,”
“This tragedy could have been prevented if both governments on either side of the waters had prioritized the lives, welfare, and rights of these people – including their ability to seek asylum.
“The simple truth of the matter is that people fleeing persecution and war will continue to travel these dangerous routes – by boat or any other means – even if governments refuses to take responsibility for providing safe access into functioning asylum systems.”
Continue reading:
Funerals held in Iraq for the families of Channel tragedy victims
Priti Paltel states that there is no quick solution to stop migrant crossings
A spokesperson for the government said that they were thinking of the families of all those who were killed in the tragic incident of November last year.
“We cannot allow another such devastating event to happen. That is why we work with international partners to stop the people smuggling groups behind dangerous crossings that are putting lives at stake with every trip they make.
“As per standard in such circumstances, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch conducts a safety investigation focusing upon the emergency response to this incident. HM Coastguard is fully cooperating with the Home Office.”
reply
retweet
favourite
