Green MEP Jean Lambert condemns the Foreign Office’s stance, calling it “a crying shame that the apparent compassion of British support ends at the seashore outside the EU” and expresses her concern at those fleeing from Syria and Eritrea across “treacherous sea routes”.
Responding to the Foreign Office’s refusal to take part in future search
and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for
London said today in an extended statement:
“Once again, Teresa May is basing her migration policy decisions on
assumptions, not evidence. Many of those risking their lives to cross the
Mediterranean come from Syria and Eritrea – countries that the UK recognises
as having many people in need of protection. Desperate people are taking
riskier routes, attempting treacherous sea routes because land borders are
increasingly restrictive. Trying to deter people from travelling just
doesn’t work when people’s lives are at risk in their country-of-origin.
“We know that not everyone travelling in leaky, dangerously overcrowded
boats claims asylum, but whether they do or don’t we should not turn our backs on people who see the EU as capable of offering hope and safety.
“Many of us have been working for years to try to develop a greater
practical demonstration of solidarity among national governments in the EU
to deal with effective rescue-at-sea and follow-up on land. We have argued
for ways in which people seeking asylum can get access to the territory of
the EU to lodge their claims, without risking their lives and for countries
to offer more resettlement possibilities for recognised refugees. The fact
is, conveniently ignored by this Government, that the UK has resettled less
than 100 Syrian refugees. Countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey are
sheltering millions of displaced people and the UK Government is providing
financial aid.”
Jean concluded: “It is a crying shame that the apparent compassion of that British support
ends at the seashore outside the EU and that the UK makes no life-raft
available.”