The UK government has provided funding for French police who have put vulnerable migrants’ lives at risk by stopping small boats in the Channel. Experts in search and rescue warn that their tactics could lead to a potential disaster.
Recent evidence uncovered by the Observer, Lighthouse Reports, Le Monde and Der Spiegel uncovers the fact that the French maritime police have resorted to using physical force to compel small boats to turn back – a tactic known as “pullbacks” – in order to stop them from reaching British waters.
Recent video, leaked papers, and statements from witnesses reveal that French officials have utilized forceful methods such as encircling a migrant vessel, creating waves that flood the dinghy; colliding with a small boat while brandishing a large container of pepper spray at passengers; and perforating boats while they are already sailing, compelling migrants to swim back to the coast.
French officials have previously denied the UK’s appeals for them to conduct sea interceptions, citing violations of international maritime laws. However, recent evidence suggests an increase in the implementation of these strategies since last summer.
Rishi Sunak has pledged to “stop the boats” crossing the Channel and has promised hundreds of millions of pounds to France to pay for more surveillance and border guards to prevent people making the journey. Last Wednesday the government’s safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill suffered several defeats in the House of Lords, delaying the prime minister’s plan to see flights for Kigali take off until after Easter.
Ministers state that the proposed legislation will serve as a warning for individuals making the journey from northern France to the UK. In the initial video acquired and confirmed for this inquiry, a patrol vessel in Dunkirk port maneuvers near a rubber boat with approximately 25 passengers, causing a wave that inundates the boat.
The police boat is spotted approaching the small boat quickly, then abruptly turning to generate waves. It then circles around and returns again. The migrants are wearing life jackets filled with foam and trying to remove water from the boat using their shoes.
It has been confirmed that the boat used in the video to conduct the maneuver was purchased by French authorities through funding provided by the UK government as a part of the “Sandhurst treaty”. This agreement, signed at the Royal Military Academy in 2018, focuses on enhancing border security between the two nations.
According to a search and rescue expert who viewed the footage, this is a textbook example of pushback, similar to what has been witnessed in Greece. The single maneuver could potentially result in a large number of casualties, as the water is deep enough for drowning. While this is a common occurrence in the central Mediterranean, it is unprecedented to see it happening in the Channel.
Earlier proof has demonstrated how the Greek maritime authorities have compelled vessels transporting migrants to return to Turkish territories in the Aegean Sea. This has been accomplished through tactics such as rapid navigation maneuvers to generate waves.
Two senior UK Border Force sources confirmed that the tactic could lead to multiple deaths and injuries. “If the blades [of the French boat] make contact with the vessel, it will slash right through it,” said one operational Border Force official.
“Another concern is a potential collision, where the weight and force of another vessel could ride over our rib, causing our passengers to lose consciousness and potentially fall into the water. This could result in fatalities and I find it difficult to believe that any experienced sailor would approve of such a scenario.”
Experts in the maritime industry stated that they would be greatly taken aback if the Border Force and HM Coastguard were not familiar with the implementation of these strategies. One expert even asserted, “Without a doubt, someone in a high position is certainly aware of this.”
A second footage shows French gendarmes riding in a speedboat alongside a dinghy around 12 miles off the French coast. In a disturbing display, they can be seen holding a large container of pepper spray, ready to use it against a migrant boat. They eventually collide their boat into the dinghy. “They have no knowledge of who is on that boat – they could potentially be using pepper spray against someone who has asthma or pregnant women,” shared an official from the Border Force. “This could have serious consequences on people’s health.”
According to a complaint filed by a member of the French coastguard to the public prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer, on 11 August 2023, police officers allegedly instructed a National Society of Sea Rescues (SNSM) crew to damage a small boat that had already departed as a third attempt. In an email reviewed during this investigation, the complainant, Rémi Vandeplanque, stated that the SNSM crew had clearly declined to carry out this task and expressed concern that doing so would have presented an imminent risk of drowning.
Testimony from several sources who boarded small boats bound for the UK supports the claims that French police have used such tactics. “There were four of them [French gendarmes] on the boat,” said one man, who was from India. “They went round the boat in a circle and then they stabbed the boat and left. We had to swim for about 10 minutes … We nearly died.” On 9 February 2024, the man lodged a complaint with the French human rights ombudsman. The incident is under investigation.
Officials from the interior ministry of France have stated that the British government persistently applies immense pressure for the French maritime police to hinder departures of small boats. A French government employee has described this pressure as intense and continuous.
A former high-ranking government employee, who held their position until the end of 2020, included: “The British were adamant about catching the boats while at sea. They were insistent on this at times.”
Last September, the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick stated, during a session in the House of Commons, that “there is a need for the French to increase their efforts”. He referred to his recent visit to Belgium and praised their authorities for taking action to stop small boats from leaving their shores. He further urged the French to adopt a similar approach, as it has significantly reduced the number of small boats departing from Belgian waters.
In August of 2021, while visiting the Greek island of Samos, former Home Secretary Priti Patel joined the Greek Coastguard on a patrol. The coastguard has gained notoriety for their aggressive pushback tactics in the Aegean region.
According to a government insider familiar with the journey, the individual returned feeling energized. They observed that the officials were exceptionally assertive and effective in identifying and handling asylum seekers. The visitor appreciated their approach of prioritizing border protection and cooperation with the military, although it was acknowledged that some of their methods may not be deemed lawful in the United Kingdom.
Since 2014, Britain has dedicated over £700m to France in order to address and prevent instances of irregular migration.
During a summit in March 2023, Sunak declared that Britain will provide France with £500m in funding over the course of three years. This money will be used to hire more border guards, construct a new detention center, and acquire various equipment such as video surveillance cameras, drones, and night-vision binoculars.
According to multiple sources within the French interior ministry, the package marked a significant moment in the relationship between the two countries. A senior official stated, “This formalizes the relationship between our two countries.”
The UK recently approved a collaboration with Frontex, the European border agency, to enhance the sharing of intelligence and send UK Border Force officials to oversee the response to activity in the Channel.
Upon being contacted for this inquiry, the regional administration for the northern area of France verified that law enforcement had encircled a small boat and their intention was to discourage individuals from approaching the open sea. The statement also noted that this was the first instance where this tactic had been successful in intercepting a dinghy and it served as a deterrent. All individuals on board were rescued and the smugglers were apprehended.
The Home Office representative stated that the number of individuals crossing the Channel is unacceptable, and we will take necessary action to stop these dangerous and deadly crossings. We are determined to continue building on our progress from last year, where arrivals decreased by over one third.
“We have enacted stricter laws and formed partnerships with other countries. Additionally, we are closely collaborating with our French counterparts, who are dedicated to preventing loss of life and halting boat migrations.”
Source: theguardian.com
