"The new questions over the viability of interceptions of dinghies in the Channel is another blow to the UK government after the Guardian revealed on Tuesday that an Iranian asylum seeker in the first group of those sent back to France under the one in one out deal had returned to the UK in a small boat. The BBC has reported that the part of the UK-France deal to stop the boats off the French coast is under threat and may never be implemented."
"According to the BBC, French maritime security sources described the plan as just a political stunt. While saving lives at sea is paramount in maritime law, the interception plan was based on a new maritime doctrine, considered by the French authorities in June, under which patrol boats would attempt to intercept dinghies and pull them back to shore. The Home Office said on Thursday that France was reviewing its maritime doctrine."
French coastguards and the customs union Solidaires Douanes have called for plans to intercept small boats up to 300 metres from the French shore to be halted, describing the doctrine as deadly and contravening international conventions. The union wrote to customs director general Florian Colas warning that the doctrine risks shipwrecks and deaths and places responsibility on intervening personnel. The Home Office confirmed that France is reviewing a new maritime doctrine that would see patrol boats attempt to intercept dinghies and pull them back to shore. Media reports say parts of the UK–France deal to stop Channel crossings are under threat and may not be implemented.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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