GEIS-新闻详情

Rishi Sunak’s small boats plan suffers another blow as Home Office deems Turkey unsafe

2024-02-02 00:00:00.0 独立报-英国新闻原网页

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email

Please enter a valid email address

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email

{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rishi Sunak’s pledge to halt boats carrying migrants across the English Channel is under threat once again as the Home Office is said to have concerns about Turkey being a safe country.

The decision puts the prime minister’s hope of striking a returns deal with Ankara in jeopardy, as officials say that Turkey is “over-zealous” in its anti-terrorism laws and has unfair trials. There are also allegations of torture in the judicial system.

Three thousand Turkish nationals arrived by small boat to the UK last year, the third largest nationality and more than double the number from the previous year.

Rishi Sunak has faced considerable party discord over his failure to get a grip on the small boats crisis

" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/01/13/POLITICS%20SMEs%20%2011233184.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/01/13/POLITICS%20SMEs%20%2011233184.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/01/13/POLITICS%20SMEs%20%2011233184.jpg" data-gallery-length="3" class="i-amphtml-fill-content i-amphtml-replaced-content" pinger-seen="true">

Rishi Sunak has faced considerable party discord over his failure to get a grip on the small boats crisis

(PA)

The proposed deal would have mirrored the accord with Albania, which Downing Street says has seen the number of people arriving by small boats falling by 90 per cent since the returns deal was signed.

RECOMMENDED

US military revises account of what happened to 2 SEALs who died trying to board Yemen-bound ship

Trump says he is shopping around for new law firm as Alina Habba faces scrutiny

BestStories

Server Tales: How Celebrities Treated Their ServersBestStories| Sponsored Sponsored

Chaikin Analytics

Buying Nvidia? Wall Street Legend Issues Urgent A.I. Stock WarningChaikin Analytics| Sponsored Sponsored

But now the plans face are reportedly facing a major setback as an internal Home Office review described Turkey as “a state that does not meet the criteria of being ‘generally safe’” and raises concerns about appeals to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which could scupper the plan.

The audit may gift Sunak’s right-leaning colleagues yet more ammunition to push for the UK to leave the ECHR and bolster provisions within the Rwanda bill to ignore the court-orders that override UK government policy.

The Times is now reporting that officials are considering whether another treaty – similar to the Rwandan one – could be worked up to ensure that political opponents would not be persecuted upon return.

Some officials are also believed to have suggested that returns to Turkey could be considered on a case by case basis to protect those most at risk.

Promoted stories

Plaque Psoriasis

Do You Know What Plaque Psoriasis Is? (Take A Look)Plaque Psoriasis Search Now

by Taboola by Taboola

Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

Promoted Links Promoted Links

Turkey has long been considered an important state in the wider immigration landscape as a gateway between the war-torn Middle East and the rest of Europe.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

(PA Archive)

It has also become the main hub for manufacturing dinghies which are used by people-smugglers to transport migrants over the channel.

Back in August 2022 the UK and Turkey signed an intelligence sharing agreement that would strengthen collaboration and enforcement between the states in dealing with the migrant crisis.

The government established a new centre of excellence, to be established by the Turkish National Police, which would help the two countries share intelligence so staff could act more quickly on information.

But some government figures wished to take the deal further by striking a returns agreement whereupon those who come to the UK via Turkey could be sent back.

New Home Office figures published on Thursday revealed 1,335 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in January, a 13 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

In response to the claims, a Home Office spokesperson said:“International cooperation plays a crucial part in tackling illegal migration and the UK and Turkey are close strategic partners, with a future-focused relationship.“Where an individual has no legal right to be in the UK, we will seek to return them to their home country. Protection claims are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations – no one who is found to be at risk of persecution or serious harm will be returned.”

More about small boats Rishi Sunak Home Office Turkey Prime Minister

Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

54Comments

1/ 3Rishi Sunak’s small boats suffer blow Home Office Turkey unsafe

Rishi Sunak’s small boats suffer blow Home Office Turkey unsafe

Rishi Sunak has faced considerable party discord over his failure to get a grip on the small boats crisis

Rishi Sunak’s small boats suffer blow Home Office Turkey unsafe

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

PA Archive

Rishi Sunak’s small boats suffer blow Home Office Turkey unsafe

1,335 migrants came to the UK via the channel in a small boat in January this year

CCPA Notice Promoted stories

Type2 Diabetes - HNT

When Blood Sugar Is A Problem, Try This! (It's Genius)This natural morning ritual has helped thousands of people with uncontrolled blood sugar.Type2 Diabetes - HNT| Sponsored Sponsored

Learn More

Super C Serum

Target Shoppers Say This Drugstore Wrinkle Cream Is Actually Worth ItSuper C Serum| Sponsored Sponsored

Learn More

Mrjoint Relief

Breakthrough Shoulder Relief Device Has Taken The World By Storm.For all my friends who suffer from daily shoulder pain, this is what I was talking about.Mrjoint Relief| Sponsored Sponsored

Learn More