| Author (Person) | Travis, Alan |
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| Series Title | The Guardian |
| Series Details | 27.10.14 |
| Publication Date | 27/10/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
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The United Kingdom Home Office (Interior Ministry) told The Guardian in October 2014 that the UK would not be taking part in Operation Triton - the new search and rescue operation to prevent migrants and refugees drowning in the Mediterranean planned to start on the 1 November 2014 to takeover from the Italian organised Mare Nostrum operation. Refugees and human rights organisations reacted with anger to the new Foreign Office minister, Lady Anelay saying that saving people encouraged others to risk the voyage. The BBC reported that Germany and certain other EU Member States shared the UK opinion. However, equipment for Operation Triton had been pledged by countries including France, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and non-EU member Iceland. Frontex said on the 28 October 2014 that more equipment was pledged than was needed for the limited operation. Refugee Council Chief Executive Maurice Wren said: 'The British Government seems oblivious to the fact that the world is in the grip of the greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War. 'People fleeing atrocities will not stop coming if we stop throwing them life rings; boarding a rickety boat in Libya will remain a seemingly rational decision if you're running for your life and your country is in flames. The only outcome of withdrawing help will be to witness more people needlessly and shamefully dying on Europe's doorstep. 'The answer isn't to build the walls of fortress Europe higher, it's to provide more safe and legal channels for people to access protection.' Tony Bunyan, Statewatch Director, commented: 'The government’s justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration.' The International Organisation for Migration rejected on the 31 October 2014 the allegation that an Italian operation in the Mediterranean had inspired a surge in the numbers attempting the perilous journey to Europe. 'Boat arrivals to Europe are a result of the complex humanitarian crisis near Europe's external borders, not of the humanitarian life-saving policies that try to assist those in need,' IOM chief William Lacy Swing insisted. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/27/uk-mediterranean-migrant-rescue-plan |
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| Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, Italy, Malta, United Kingdom |
