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In a significant and contentious development regarding immigration enforcement, French riot police have been granted permission to deploy water cannon against asylum seekers as part of a £660 million agreement with the United Kingdom. This decision has sparked outrage from humanitarian organisations, who describe it as a disturbing escalation in the treatment of refugees and migrants.
Deployment of Riot Police
Under the new arrangement, two specialised units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have been mobilised in northern France with the primary goal of preventing asylum seekers and human traffickers from launching small boats across the Channel. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the G7 summit held last week in Évian-les-Bains.
Starmer highlighted that these elite units represent a significant step in the collaboration between the UK and France, aiming to enhance public order and tackle the challenges posed by smuggling operations. A government statement detailed that a permanent unit from the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS), specifically trained in riot and crowd control tactics, will be deployed to address increasingly aggressive behaviours from smugglers and to stop illegal crossings.
Controversial Tactics
The authorisation for French police to employ water cannon—devices capable of delivering high-velocity streams of water to disperse crowds—is particularly controversial. While such measures are prohibited in Great Britain due to concerns over their potential for misuse and the principle of “policing by consent,” they remain available to law enforcement in Northern Ireland. Last week, water cannon were used to disperse a crowd during anti-immigration protests near Belfast.
Humanitarian organisations have condemned the decision to utilise these tactics in France. Steve Smith, Chief Executive of the charity Care4Calais, expressed his dismay, stating, “This would be a sickening escalation in the state violence being waged against refugees here in Calais.” He criticised the UK government for funding tactics that treat refugees as second-class citizens and called for a reconsideration of such inhumane measures.
The Broader Context
The use of water cannon is not new to French policing. The CRS has previously deployed these devices in various situations, including during celebratory riots and protests. Reports have surfaced regarding the unit’s history of brutality and allegations of racism, further complicating their role in managing public order, particularly in contexts involving vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers.
In 2015, then Home Secretary Theresa May ruled out the use of water cannon on the British mainland, citing concerns over their capacity to cause harm. However, Northern Ireland’s police forces continue to have access to six of these devices, which were recently used amid unrest.
Despite the UK and French governments’ efforts to curb the number of crossings, statistics reveal that a significant number of individuals continue to attempt the journey. In May alone, 2,726 people successfully crossed to Britain, a decrease from the previous year but indicative of ongoing challenges that both nations face in managing immigration.
Financial Implications and Government Statements
The funding for the deployment of the French riot squad will reportedly come from the French government, although it has been negotiated under the larger £660 million deal aimed at bolstering border security. A Home Office source reiterated that policing strategies remain within the purview of French authorities, distancing the UK government from direct involvement in the use of water cannon.
As the situation develops, the Home Office has not provided further comment, and requests for statements from the CRS have gone unanswered.
Why it Matters
The authorisation of water cannon use against asylum seekers not only raises ethical concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations but also highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in Europe. As countries grapple with the influx of refugees, the measures taken can set a precedent for how migrants are treated, potentially normalising aggressive policing tactics that undermine human rights. This situation calls for urgent dialogue and reflection on the values that underpin our approach to those seeking safety and refuge.
