In June 2016, UK citizens will vote in a referendum to decide if the country will stay in the
European Union.
Prime Minister David Cameron is urging the nation to stay in the EU -- and this is one
of the major reasons why.
This is the Calais ‘Jungle’ -- an expansive migrant camp in Calais, northern France.
Here many attempt to reach the UK everyday by illegally crossing the Channel, by ferry
or through the Eurotunnel.
Though Calais does have one of the most secure borders in Europe, Cameron is concerned that
this could change if the British Exit from the EU or “Brexit”, should go through.
So why exactly is the Calais border in jeopardy and what does it mean for the UK?
In the last year, wave after wave of migrants have arrived at the Calais Jungle, and thousands
have attempted to illegally cross the border into the UK.
Migrants from war-torn countries like Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan, try to scale or break
through fences in order to climb onto trains or trucks going across the Channel to England.
Life in the camp is hard and people here live in squalid conditions, with very little food
and no access to basic amenities.
The camp is now being dismantled, yet many migrants are still risking life and limb to
try and reach the UK.
Like France, the UK government offers allowances in housing, healthcare and education to refugees.
But because many migrants speak English, the UK is more desireable as many believe that
finding work will be easier there.
But few ever make it across the Channel because of the the strict security on the Calais border.
The border is well financed and that’s attributed to a pact between the UK and France, called
the Le Touquet Treaty.
Formed in 2003, the treaty allows British immigration officials to conduct passport
checks on French soil and allows French immigration to do the same in the UK.
As David Cameron points out, what this technically means, is that the UK border falls in France.
...It's an agreement that means that our borders are effectively in Calais not in Dover.
That is good for Britain.
I want us to keep that.
That is why we've helped with fencing, that's why we've helped with finances, that's why
we've helped with border guards and cooperation and all the rest of it.
In fact, it’s estimated that the UK government is set to spend 12 million pounds on Calais
border security over the next three years.
And some of that money has already gone toward expanding security fences and monitoring,
conducted by heavily-armed French riot police and CCTV cameras.
So why is it so critical for the UK to maintain their security measures in Calais?
Well, in order to claim asylum in Britain under the 1951 Geneva Convention, migrants
can only apply for refugee status if they are on UK soil.
So if the Calais border, complete with UK checkpoints is maintained, migrants have virtually
zero chance of ever setting foot on UK territory and therefore can’t qualify for asylum there.
And this is what David Cameron is afraid Britain’s exit from the EU, will destroy.
He’s concerned that France will dissolve the Le Touquet Treaty, meaning the UK border
in Calais will have to return to British shores.
The fact is there are a lot of opposition politicians in France who would love an excuse
to tear up that treaty and would like the border not to be in France but to be in Britain.
Essentially, he’s worried that there will be little stopping migrants from entering
the UK.
And French President Francois Hollande has certainly added fuel to Cameron’s fears
over the Brexit, commenting,
“there will be consequences ... especially in the way we handle the situation in terms
of immigration.”
In other words, Hollande is issuing a warning to the UK.
Which is why Cameron is being so outspoken about staying in the European Union.
If we can get this deal in Europe...You know that the borders stay in Calais, you know
that we have a seat determining (sic) the rules when it comes to the future of Europe...
Though Cameron continues to argue that he is trying to protect the UK from having it’s
own Calais Jungle, some critics say that he is merely trying to scare the British people
into staying in the EU.
Whatever the case may be, the Prime Minister seems determined not to move the UK border
from France.
David Cameron may not want to leave the European Union but there are many others in the UK
that would like to go.
Check out this video on Why The UK Wants To Leave The EU.
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