Is Rescuing Boat People From The Mediterranean Counter-Productive?

[naomi24]

The Royal Navy rescues them and transports them to safety in Europe, they make their way to Calais, and we then make all efforts to keep them out of the UK. Somewhat confusing....

[whiskeryron]

AND ???

[Old_Geezer]

Could be viewed as counter productive with reference to the inability of the French and Calais to take responsibility and blame the UK. But it ought not be linked for the rescue is a humanitarian action for fellow human beings, the Frankobreak is about breaking laws and disrespecting a nation's boundaries.

[fiction-factory]

But if we are just rescuing them from the sea, O_G, then surely we should do it closer to the African coast and then safely transfer them back to dry land

[Old_Geezer]

Fair comment.

But one should be sure they are economic refugees and not genuine asylum seekers you are dumping back to their abusers. Which may be why they are brought to the European country first. And apparently not processed properly there.

This is a problem for a number of countries in the EU. Mainly those who allow open borders, and not just with other EU coutries it seems. But the main symptom we are concerned with is when it has progreessed so far it is now a French/Calais issue.

There was some guy on the TV earlier, presumably some official from Calais, alternately stating it is an EU problem not Calais', and then that it is the UK's fault, for reasons that were unclear despite the anger clearly shown. Maybe because the idea we were a welfare haven compared to other EU countries had been shot down in flames. But apparently they were sick and fed up of (I assume) no longer finding an excuse to blame the UK.

[andy-hughes]

dave50 - //The answer is simple, don't rescue them. As soon as word gets back that they have no chance of being rescued, they should soon stop. They arent our problem. //

You are a little ray of humanity and compassion aren't you!

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// Naomi...if these refugees are in France illegally, they should be dealt with as we do with similar over here. They should rounded up, processed and if they fail in their desire for asylum, then sent back to their country of origin. ///

That sounds very sensible mikey, but the question that I now must ask is, "For how long have our authorities acted in such a sensible way"?

[Svejk]

^ I believe it worked in/for Australia, ah.

[SeaJayPea]

The first rule of the sea is that you always help somebody "in peril on the sea". No self-respecting mariner would turn his back on somebody struggling in the water.

[Peter Pedant]

// Africa ^^^ is not a Country, it is the second largest Continent on Earth. //

well send them to the largest one then !

Is this thread really about " should we be saving drowning people or just let them drown ? " ho hum people DO find odd things to discuss ....

[Peter Pedant]

C J P - please ! let no glimmer of sense enlighten this thread !

[anotheoldgit]

douglas9401

/// Having no paperwork isn't a free pass to the promised land. It's a scam to back up the whingeing, grizzling and begging.
Make it known that absolutely no claims will be entertained without valid ID, no exceptions, then the genuine can still be dealt with and the others will soon get the message. ///

This has got to be awarded the 'Best Answer' well done douglas.

[fiction-factory]

I don't think naomi was referring to sinking boats. It looked as if the navy were picking up any boat, some (possibly many) of which looked unsafe.

[Svejk]

Unfortunately they didn't round this one up in time, aog.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-33715984

[SeaJayPea]

Actually, since the fall of Gadhaffi, I'd say that Libya is exactly one of the places the RN should be patrolling. Just not for this purpose, though.

[anotheoldgit]

It is not the UK's problem, France's problem, and not even the EU's problem, it is Africa's problem, when are the African Union going to get off their ar**s and do something about their rat-hole of a continent?

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/26/african-union-migrant-deaths-europe-illegal-migration-africa

[Retrochic]

Wow -these are human beings being talked about here -on boats with children -yes let them drown why not?. They are supposed to be dealt with at point of entry so its hardly France's problem - France have the same problem as the UK except they unfortunately are on main land Europe. If these people were dogs or cats that has been badly treated in a foreign country people would be queuing up to adopt them its disgraceful how people can talk about humans a if they are disposable. And before the 'you must be a liberal tree hugger' comments come out, I actually support UKIP.

[youngmafbog]

Of course it is counter productive just as opening the Calais border would be counter productive.

If you start helping people into Europe and the UK then you really will have swarms of immigrants.

And while we are on the subject, why do people keep referring to these immigrants as desperate? Many pay lots money to go and are not from war-torn countries, neither have they bought family with them. I'm pretty sure if I lived in a very risky area then I would take wife and kids too not leave them behind in danger.

[anotheoldgit]

Svejk

He must be one of many that are roaming our streets, imagine what it will be like in the future?

I won't be around to see it, but I fear for my children, grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.

[youngmafbog]

Right-on Retrochic

How many bedrooms do you have available - and how much tax do you pay?

Or are you expecting others to suffer and stump up.

You need to get real. We cannot solve the worlds problems.