Our statement about the tragic loss of life in the English Channel.
All of us at Reading Refugee Support Group are heartbroken with the terrible news that 27 men, women and children died in the English Channel yesterday trying to seek safety in the UK.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to every single one of their loved ones at this terrible time.
Some of our colleagues and many of the people we support have had to make similarly dangerous journeys seeking safety. This will be particularly tough and traumatic news for them, and we want them to know that we are available at any time if they want to speak to us.
This is the single biggest loss of life in the Channel since records began, and as a country we cannot allow any more people to die like this.
The current system leaves desperate people with no other choice than to risk their lives crossing the Channel.
Instead of proposing ‘pushbacks’ – which will guarantee more people die – the UK needs to establish a safe, legal route for people to apply for asylum here.
A safe, legal route to apply for asylum would stop people needing to make the dangerous crossing, and it would eradicate people smugglers immediately.
A safe, legal route would stop this ever happening again.
We fully endorse the JCWI’s briefing on what needs to change. Read their briefing here.
Please read it and write to your MP, urging them to demand a humane, realistic, compassionate approach to refugee protection.
For further information, please contact:
Jonjo Warrick – Fundraising & Communications Manager
01189 505 356
