THE MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS THAT DROWNED IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL ON 27 NOVEMBER ARE KURDISH – BUT FRANCE AND THE U.K. ARGUE ABOUT WHO SHOULD RESCUE REFUGEES

27 November2021

IFIR PRESS RELEASE:

Information has been given to the IFIR by family members living in the UK of those refugees who drowned in the English Channel on Wednesday 24 November 2021.

A brother of a woman who drowned told IFIR:

“Most of the victims were from Iraqi Kurdistan and Iranian Kurdistan”.

A cousin of a victim said:
“My cousin was one of the victims. I last spoke with him at 03.27am. The day before the incident he told me there was a 15 year old with them, together with her Mum and younger brothers of 12 and 5 years old.  The girl spoke good English. When the incident commenced in the Channel she immediately called the French Port Police, giving the dinghy’s location.  However she was told by the French Port Police that as the dinghy and the people on it were not in French waters, they needed to call the UK Port Police.  The girl quickly called the UK Port Police in great distress.  She begged for them for help, saying that everyone on the dinghy was in extreme danger and could die. The UK Port Police asked for their location and told her that they would be coming.  This was said at 03:05am, but by 03.27am  – 22 minutes later, no UK Port Police had arrived.  That was the last contact I had with my cousin”.

Dashty from IFIR said:

“This appalling tragedy shows that the refugees are victims of the UK and French Border Policies. There must be an immediate and full investigation by the UK and French governments to understand why the refugees were ignored in a time of crisis. Both governments need to create humane policies that meet their international responsibilities. 

The UK government must develop a new approach to asylum as a matter of urgency.  Presently it talks and acts tough on asylum seekers. This is what led to the shameful situation in which the main response to this week’s tragedy was to blame the French.

Intercontinental migration and refugees fleeing war and persecution are major global issues that require a joined-up international approach. 

Refugees make the treacherous journey to the UK because they have relatives or friends in Britain, or historic links, or speak English.

A responsible and humane government should seek to find solutions, both to the immediate challenge of people camped in miserable conditions on borders and wider geopolitical causes”.