NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : AFP
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
The English Channel migrant disaster
On 24 November, a dingy containing more than 30 migrants who were trying to cross the English Channel to enter the UK drowned in the beach of Calais located in northern France. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron got into a blame game accusing each other of their irresponsible behaviour. To resolve the developed tensions between both countries, Macron arranged a meeting but the UK Home secretary Priti Patel denied the Calais meeting. This stirred the tensions further. As per Macron, France expects the UK to cooperate fully and abstains from instrumentalizing a tragic situation for political purposes. On 27 November, a statement was released by the UNHCR which read: “the agency was deeply shocked and saddened by the unprecedented tragedy that unfolded in the English Channel. In the absence of safer alternatives, people will continue to resort to such perilous journeys, and their desperation and vulnerabilities will continue to be preyed upon and exploited by ruthless smugglers.”
Background to the English Channel Crossings
The number of migrants who crossed the Channel has scaled from 1,835 in 2020 to 26,560 in 2021. The main reason behind the increase is said to be the treatment of migrants in France. The government has evacuated the migrant residing camps to allocate shelter but has failed to take any step in preventing the migrants from crossing the Channel. This has continued to be a problem for the UK despite its recommendation to France to install sensors and other technology that spots or deters migrants when they touch the shoreline.
From the migrant’s point of view, the UK has been the choice by default to settle. For migrants coming from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Albania, or any other North African country, the UK seem to be the destination. According to the International Health Journal survey taken from 402 migrants, 82 per cent opted to settle in the UK. Apart from seeking better living conditions or escaping the hostile situation, there are larger reasons for the migrants to migrate. One, the flexible application process for asylum seekers. Two, recognition and benefits for refugees to connect back to their historical family links and third the lesser chance of being sent back to their home country. Once migrants cross the channel and enter the UK, they are eligible to claim asylum, post which they have to prove the condition of non-return. At that point, they will be granted refugee status that lasts for five years and later this becomes the base for them to settle in the UK.
What does this mean?
First, absence of accountability in leaders. Both the leaders of the UK and France have not taken a strong stance to mitigate the migrant crisis. Instead, they only blamed each other for taking steps and missed to consider the humanitarian aspect of the migrants.
Second, tarnish the EU’s reputation. The EU has failed to tackle the issue of migration in the region. On one hand, while Poland-Belarus causes a ruckus, the English Channel migrant crisis has blown the reputation of the regional administration at the international forum.
References:
“Channel disaster: Kurdish woman is first victim identified,” BBC, 28 November 2021.
“Why do migrants leave France and try to cross the English Channel?” BBC, 27 November 2021.
“Ros Atkins on... Migrants crossing English Channel to UK,” BBC, 27 November 2021.
“UNHCR saddened by English Channel tragedy – urges action to prevent further loss of life,” UNHCR, 25 November 2021.
“France and UK engage in blame game over English Channel tragedy,” Deutsche Welle, 25 November 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Vaishnavi Iyer and Joeana Cera Matthews
FRANCE
French fishing crews stage “symbolic protests”
French fishing crews staged "symbolic" protests at the Channel tunnel and three ports in northern France against the British government over the ongoing debate over French boat access in the Channel, the fishermen began their protest at the port of Saint-Malo with red flares, before moving on to Calais and the Channel tunnel in the afternoon. In a 90-minute demonstration, six fishing vessels blocked access to Calais port, the UK's principal gateway to Europe, with similar protests taking place in Ouistreham port and access roads to the Channel tunnel. They requested their licences in protest of the UK's inability to provide the French with their full complement of fishing licences, threatening to increase their actions and "display more teeth" if the protests persist. The protestors explained that there is a certain limit to professional patience and that they hoped the UK heeds to their “warning shot". The licence issue is not crucial on the European level; however, it does play a significant role in its long-term relationship with the UK. (Lisa O'Carroll and agencies, “French fishers block three ports and Channel tunnel access road,” The Guardian, 26 November 2021)
ITALY
Israeli supreme court orders the return of Eitan Biran to Italy
The Israeli Supreme Court has ordered that a six-year-old child who was the lone survivor of a cable car tragedy in northern Italy be sent to his relatives by 12 December. Since the death of his parents in the Stresa-Mottarone aerial tramway tragedy in May, Eitan has been at the core of a contentious custody struggle between relatives in Israel and Italy. His maternal grandfather, Shmuel Peleg, allegedly kidnapped him from his paternal aunt, Aya Brian-Nirko. Shortly after the cable car catastrophe, Biran-Nirko was awarded custody of the child. Biran-lawyers Nirko's said the verdict, which affirmed a lower court's decision from October, marked the conclusion of a terrible incident. Meanwhile, the Peleg family has vowed to continue fighting for his return to Israel “in every legal way”. The court declared: “(Peleg) did not provide a valid reason why the return to Italy could cause psychological or physical damage to the child” against Eitan’s parents’ indefinite claims of settling in Italy. (Angela Giuffrida, “Eitan Biran: cable car fall survivor must be returned to Italy, Israeli court rules,” The Guardian, 29 November 2021)
POLAND
Morawiecki urges NATO to “connect dots”
On 30 November, Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that NATO members needed to “connect the dots” and “wake up” to Russian destabilization efforts in the region. He highlighted recent developments that revealed Kremlin and its supporters seeking to alter “the geopolitical system” and “disunite” the EU. He further highlighted a build-up of Russian soldiers near Ukraine, skyrocketing gas costs, and a situation in the Poland-Belarus border as examples. His remarks come ahead of a NATO ministerial meeting. Morawiecki believes Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is the direct culprit of the border situation, but “he has his sponsor, he has his principal” in the Kremlin, alluding to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his conclusion, he said: “Bad things may happen in Ukraine for instance, or there could be another huge migration problem for the whole of Europe, All the pieces of the puzzle put together present not a very good picture.” (“Poland PM urges 'wake up' to destabilisation by Russia and allies,” BBC, 30 November 2021)
SERBIA
Mining laws trigger protests, clashes with police
On 27 November, Serbia witnessed streets being blocked as protestors gathered to condemn the new mining laws. The new laws provide mineral resources to foreign mining companies like China’s Zijin copper miner and the Anglo-Austrian company Rio Tinto. This implies they receive sovereignty to proceed with projects that may be environmentally polluting to an extent there would be irreversible damage. The protestors, while criticizing President Alexander Vucic, chanted slogans expressing their concern over the latest news. Novi Sad witnessed a similar clash as demonstrations continued. Serbia is one of the most polluted countries in the EU. The recent reforms include polluting projects to proceed without any opposition from activists along with an expropriation law. (Serbia: Protesters block roads over new mining laws, Deutsche Welle, 27 November 2021)
SWEDEN
Andersson re-elected as first female Prime Minister
On 29 November, Magdalena Andersson was re-elected as Sweden’s first female prime minister for the second time this week. She had previously been elected into the position for seven hours before a budget rejection and the exit of Greens from Anderrson’s two-party coalition forced her to resign. She will take formal charge after an audience with Sweden’s figurehead monarch King Carl XVI Gustav while her Cabinet is expected to be named on 30 November. Commenting on Andersson’s appointment, Center Party leader Annie Loof addressed the parliament: “(a female prime minister) means a lot to many girls and women, to see this glass roof shattered. I am proud that (the Center Party) is involved and makes this possible.” Sweden has planned its next general election for 11 September 2022. (Sweden elects Andersson as first female PM for the second time in a week, France24, 29 November 2021)