Statement on loss of 27 lives on 24 NOVEMBER 2021

​Community InfoSource is saddened and angry about the terrible loss of 27 precious human lives in the channel due to their boat sinking. Our thoughts go out to their families and friends who will be grieving and to those who tried to rescue them and face trauma dealing with their bodies.

The UK government’s inhuman and hostile immigration policy, which does not allow for legal routes for people to claim asylum, is driving people to take these risky routes and increasing the likelihood of such tragedies. There are many reasons why people around the globe flee their homes, including conflict, persecution, loss of livelihoods and poverty from climate change and many other factors. Those seeking safety do not make this decision to leave everything behind lightly and our country should be a safe place welcoming those in need.

Our government’s focus on coastal safeguarding rather than rescuing desperate people is appalling and we have seen the public’s largely negative reaction to Nigel Farage’s campaign against those such as the RNLI and others who are working to rescue those in danger in the channel. CIS strongly opposes the proposals in the UK Government’s new Nationality and Borders Bill 2021 which, if implemented, will result in an even more hostile environment for those seeking asylum and safety in the UK.