Priti Patel Faces Three Legal Challenges Over Refugee Pushback Plans

London: Priti Patel is facing three legal challenges over her controversial plans to push back refugees on small boats in the Channel who are trying to reach the UK. Several charities including Care4Calais and Channel Rescue are involved in two linked challenges arguing that Patel’s plans are unlawful under human rights and maritime laws. Freedom from Torture is involved in a third challenge. The Guardian has revealed that government lawyers have warned Patel she is likely to lose any legal challenge against her pushbacks policy.

The first legal challenge, from Care4Calais and another charity, focuses on whether the Home Office has actually formulated a policy on pushbacks. It argues that if such a policy exists it should be published so it can be scrutinised. The second challenge, from Channel Rescue, a human rights organisation that monitors the situation for refugees crossing the Channel in small boats, focuses on alleged breaches of maritime law – the requirement under the UN convention on the law of the sea is for vessels to provide assistance to those in danger or distress at sea. The third argues that the turnback policy has no legal basis, authorises unlawful conduct by UK officials and is forbidden by the refugee convention.

Read more: Diane Taylor and Rajeev Syal, Guardian, https://rb.gy/8nkaxz