left with no choice

Saturday’s Channel tragedy, in which six lives were lost, underscores the urgent need for safer pathways for refugees. 

Labelling them as mere "migrants" overlooks their desperate search for refuge. This sad incident highlights the necessity of creating accessible routes and addressing the root causes of displacement. 

This should be done by the government as a matter of urgency - too long (two years!) has been spent on the unworkable and inhuman anti-migration act. 

The six people who died came from Afghanistan and Sudan (where so many of our young people are from). There is no functioning safe route for those fleeing the Taliban and no safe route at all for those trying to escape the bombing in Sudan. 

There are currently no visa routes available for the purposes of travelling to the UK to claim asylum, and it is not possible to apply for asylum in the UK without being physically present here. 

No one should lose their life trying to reach safety, least of all in a flimsy dinghy crossing the world’s busiest shipping lane. But without safe routes, people are left with no choice but to risk everything. 

This tragedy is yet again a call to action for humanity and compassion in our approach to asylum seekers. Safe routes and dignified treatment are their right.

We remember those who died and their loved ones. We also remember the RNLI and other agencies and thank them for their tireless work in the Channel.