Politics
French police authorised to use water cannon on asylum seekers in £660m deal with UK
JO
John Parker
4 weeks ago7 min read
A controversial new directive has emerged from the heart of an Anglo-French migration pact: French riot police, operating under a substantial £660 million agreement with the United Kingdom, have been granted explicit authorisation to deploy water cannon against asylum seekers in northern France. This startling revelation, initially reported by the Guardian, immediately drew fierce condemnation from refugee charities, with one describing the decision as “sickening,” particularly given that water cannons are prohibited for use in Great Britain.This contentious measure is part of a broader, intensified effort to stem the flow of asylum seekers attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats, a persistent and politically charged issue for both London and Paris. The £660 million deal, inked between the two nations, aims to bolster French enforcement capabilities along its coastline, investing in technology, personnel, and tactics designed to disrupt smuggling operations and prevent departures. The deployment of these specialist units, which commenced just in time for the anticipated increase in crossings during the summer months, underscores a significant escalation in the approach to border control and migrant deterrence.Specifically, two specialist policing units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have been assigned to these critical operations. Their mandate is clear: to prevent both asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching the perilous small boat journeys towards UK shores. The inclusion of water cannon in their authorised toolkit marks a profound shift, signaling a willingness to employ more forceful, and potentially confrontational, methods. Critics argue that such tactics, typically associated with crowd control in civil disturbances, are wholly inappropriate when directed at vulnerable individuals seeking asylum, many of whom have fled conflict and persecution.Refugee advocacy groups have swiftly voiced their profound dismay. The “sickening” comment encapsulates a widespread concern that the new directive not only militarises the response to a humanitarian crisis but also risks causing significant harm to individuals who are often desperate and without other options. Humanitarian principles typically dictate that asylum seekers, irrespective of their mode of arrival, should be treated with dignity and have their claims processed fairly. The authorisation of water cannon directly contravenes this spirit, raising serious questions about the human rights implications and the safety of those caught in the crossfire of this enhanced enforcement.The deployment of such equipment also draws a stark contrast with the domestic policies of the UK, which has deemed water cannons unsuitable for use by its own police forces. This discrepancy highlights the complex ethical terrain navigated by the UK government, which funds the French operations that employ tactics considered unacceptable on British soil. The political pressure in the UK to “stop the boats” is immense, driving substantial investment in these cross-Channel efforts, but at a growing cost to its humanitarian standing and the welfare of those seeking refuge.As the summer months approach, typically seeing calmer waters and an increase in attempted crossings, the implications of this new authorisation are set to unfold. It portends a potentially more volatile environment along the French coast, where interactions between police and asylum seekers could become increasingly confrontational. The effectiveness of such a hardline approach in deterring desperate individuals remains a point of contention, with many experts suggesting that it may simply push smuggling operations into more dangerous or clandestine routes, rather than eliminating them entirely. The decision will undoubtedly fuel further debate both domestically and internationally, scrutinising the balance between border security and fundamental human rights in the face of a continuing global migration challenge.
#week's picks
#asylum seekers
#migrant crisis
#English Channel
#UK-France relations
#human rights
#riot police
#water cannon
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