Asylum: Brussels concerned about London's respect for international law

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said Thursday that she questioned London on the compliance with international law of its bill drastically restricting the right to asylum to put an end to the arrival of migrants through the Channel

Asylum: Brussels concerned about London's respect for international law

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said Thursday that she questioned London on the compliance with international law of its bill drastically restricting the right to asylum to put an end to the arrival of migrants through the Channel.

"I spoke to (UK) Home Secretary Suella Braverman two days ago, she briefed me on this proposal," the Swedish commissioner said as she arrived at a meeting of EU home ministers. in Brussels.

“My immediate reaction was to ask if this proposal is in line with international obligations. She promised me that it was, hopefully she is right, we need to look into it in a bit more detail,” added Ylva Johanson.

French Minister Gérald Darmanin meanwhile stressed that the Franco-British summit on Friday would be an opportunity to discuss this bill which makes asylum inaccessible to migrants who have arrived illegally, to discourage the tens of thousands of crossings from the Channel on makeshift boats.

"Obviously there shouldn't be any negative consequences on our bilateral relationship, but I'm sure that in a very constructive way we will be able to find ways and means," he said.

The French minister called for an agreement between the European Union and London "on the question of legal channels for immigration" to the United Kingdom.

His Austrian counterpart Gerhard Karner said the British plan showed that "the pressure on Europe is growing with regard to illegal immigration and asylum abuses". "In Europe, we have to focus on our controls," he said.

The United Nations called Britain's illegal immigration bill tantamount to "the end of asylum" and urged London to choose "more humane" responses.

09/03/2023 10:37:30 - Bruxelles (AFP) - © 2023 AFP