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London, UK, 10 July 2025 —  As the UK and France unveil new joint measures to deter small boat crossings, Flora Alexander, Executive Director of the ̽����ѡ UK, said:

“This agreement marks yet another step in the wrong direction – doubling down on deterrence rather than offering meaningful protection. Evidence shows that these policies don’t stop people from seeking safety – they simply force them into more perilous journeys, putting lives at risk.

Proposals such as a ‘one-in, one-out’ scheme risk undermining the right to seek asylum, a core principle of international law. They ignore the root causes of why people cross borders in the first place – to escape conflict, persecution and crisis. Border security must not come at the expense of human rights or the UK’s moral and legal obligations.”

Marta Welander, ̽����ѡ's EU advocacy Director, added:

“While international collaboration on asylum is essential, this should be centred on protection and solidarity - not deterrence and punitive approaches. This agreement is likely to result in more asylum-seekers being kept in an extended state of limbo and suffering as they risk being sent back to the first country they entered in Europe. Such returns would also lead to increased pressure on EU countries at the southern borders, such as Italy and Greece, which are already hosting a disproportionate number of new arrivals. 

Rather than striking unsustainable and potentially harmful deals which undermine the right to asylum, states should instead work together to relocate people away from frontline countries, and to enable them to move onwards to others which have greater capacity for welcome. This is not just essential for the wellbeing of people on the move, but in order for Europe to forge a truly united, sustainable and humane approach to asylum and migration.”