No one would exchange his country for a foreign land if his own afforded him the means of living a decent and happy life.
Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum
International law recognises the right to seek asylum for individuals forced to flee their country for reasons such as persecution, war or violence[1]. However, there are very few legal pathways that exist to allow people to claim asylum. One example is the UK – it is not possible to claim asylum in the UK from outside of the union, it can only be applied for from within the country.
Refugees thus face a cruel paradox – in order to claim asylum, they must cross a border, but many countries have strict border controls requiring specific entry procedures and paperwork. Refugees are forcibly displaced, often forced to leave their homes without any belongings and without their identification. In fleeing and seeking refuge, they are unable to file the necessary paperwork. In need of protection, they are forced to ‘illegally’ cross borders to access support and asylum procedures.
Applying for asylum is a right and is guaranteed in international law, which the UK is bound to uphold. You cannot be penalised for your journey, nor your mode of entry, in consideration of your asylum application. Whilst international law recognises that refugees often have no choice but to travel irregularly, countries have failed to uphold this and have increasingly moved to criminalise asylum via hostile policies, including the arrest of humanitarian workers assisting those in need, and pushbacks, both at sea and at land borders.
Perilous journeys
Due to the lack of legal pathways to claim asylum, refugees are forced to embark on perilous journeys which take them across deserts, over mountains and across seas. Along the way they encounter hostile borders, with countries actively blocking them from entering and sometimes pushing them back or detaining them. Refugees are also at increased risk of exploitation due to their increased vulnerability as a result of displacement, by traffickers and smugglers who prey on refugees along migratory routes.
Safe routes are essential for combatting the business of human trafficking. By creating accessible and inclusive pathways for seeking sanctuary, we can break the cycle of exploitation and safeguard refugees.
By ensuring the availability of safe routes, we can provide a humane and dignified manner for vulnerable individuals to seek refuge. Some may argue that safe routes encourage more people to ‘migrate’, but they fail to recognise the reason they are displaced and compelled to embark on such a journey. People flee because of the conditions they face and in hope of a better future, regardless of the availability of pathways.