On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron openly criticized the United Kingdom’s policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, dismissing it as ineffective and likened to a joke. Speaking at the Sorbonne University in Paris, Macron expressed his distrust in the practice of seeking third countries, whether in Africa or elsewhere, to handle migrants who reach European territories illegally without having originated from those countries. He argued that this approach undermines the core values and lacks substantial merit, merely serving to degrade established principles.
The British Parliament, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recently passed a law pivotal to Sunak’s administration, especially ahead of the impending elections. This legislation mandates the deportation of undocumented asylum seekers to Rwanda, where they are expected to apply for asylum. This move aligns with Sunak’s commitment to implement the deportation plan before the upcoming elections. The UK compensates France for security measures in the Channel, aimed at preventing perilous small boat crossings. However, this Tuesday, a tragic incident occurred where five people, including a child, died while attempting to cross into the UK.
Despite Macron’s criticism of the UK’s deportation strategy, he acknowledged the strong military cooperation between France and the UK within NATO, emphasizing the UK’s role as a crucial ally. Macron concluded by affirming the robust foundational pillars of the bilateral agreements between the two nations.
This unfolding situation reflects broader tensions and challenges within the European Union regarding migration policies and the ethical implications of deporting asylum seekers to third countries.
