MSF Statement: Macron's state visit and discussion of UK-France border migration policies
As Emmanuel Macron’s state visit starts today and just a few days before the Franco-British summit, during which migration policies at the Franco-British border will be discussed, representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières are urging British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to change their doctrine.
Michaël Neuman, head of Médecins Sans Frontières' migration unit, said:
"In recent weeks, we have learned from the press that France, under pressure from the British government, is considering authorizing its police forces to intercept by force boats heading for Great Britain, further out to sea.
We're extremely concerned: such practices, which until now have been banned, are likely to increase the number of injuries and deaths on French coasts. On the one hand, such practices would encourage smugglers to take people out at sea, greatly increasing the risk of drowning. On the other hand, interception by force would have tragic consequences for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. On June 13, families and children attempting to board makeshift boats were tear-gassed by French police. On July 4, French police officers used a knife to slash a boat while several people were aboard. It is unacceptable that these practices become the rule. The British and French governments claim to want to “save lives” of people crossing the Channel, but in reality, all they are doing is mobilizing increasingly toxic and racist rhetoric against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and encouraging violence against them. It's a cynical and dangerous co-option of humanitarian discourse in order to impose ever more surveillance, militarization and brutality."
Dr. Natalie Roberts, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders UK, said:
"The United Kingdom is equally responsible for the deadly violence inflicted on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Channel. 2024 was the deadliest year ever recorded at the Franco-British border, with the deaths of at least 82 men, women and children. The UK government has subcontracted its border management to the French authorities for decades. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent by the UK government; and for what? These repressive and expensive policies are entirely ineffective; they do not deter people from trying to reach the UK but only force them into taking ever more dangerous and desperate journeys, risking their lives, often with fatal consequences.
People seeking safety, who have already undergone hugely traumatic experiences in their countries of origin and along their routes, are demonised and criminalised by politicians on both sides of the Channel. They are left with no option other than to board a flimsy dinghy to reach the UK, as the government refuses to create safe pathways.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron must immediately abandon their securitised border policy and instead focus on opening up safe and legal routes accessible for people seeking refuge between their two countries.”