Government officials in the United Kingdom have confirmed that, the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, has welcomed its first asylums.
Buses were spotted arriving in Portland, at the early hours of the day, as pro-asylum crowds assembled at the main entrance of the port with “welcome” placards.
The Home Office insisted that, the transfer of asylum seekers to the barge, will be done in a “gradual” process, and confirmed that, about 500 asylum seekers would be aboard the barge, the following week. Downing Street, on the other hand, refuted the Minister’s claims.
“Numbers will increase over time as you would expect for any new asylum facility. My understanding is that the Bibby Stockholm has an upward capacity of 500. We are looking to reach that number over time. I don’t think we are aiming to do it by the weekend.”
Rishi Sunak’s Official Spokesperson.
The Home Office Minister, Sarah Dines revealed that, the barge would provide “basic but proper accommodation” and would convey “a forceful message that, there will be proper accommodation but not luxurious”.
Also, Dines further disclosed that, the office considers sending illegal migrants and some asylum seekers to the British Colony Island of Ascension, in the South Atlantic. Other sources have revealed that, the idea is yet to be pursued.
However, as concerns of the health and safety of the barge was raised by the fire brigade, the Bibby Stockholm barge was abandoned, since it anchored off the shores Dorset, some weeks ago.
Moreover, the notion that, the houseboat would be less daunting for communities nearby, and more beneficial to the British taxpayers, have been met with opposition by refugee groups, despite numerous assurance from minister to such effect.
Also, the administration’s initiative has been opposed by some local residents. They cited the wellbeing of the asylum seekers and the unavoidable implications on local facilities.
Moreover, the CEO of Care4Calais refugee aid organization, Steve Smith claimed that, he managed to obstruct over twenty asylum seekers from boarding the gigantic housing vessel, adding that, hotels and other lodging facilities are still making referrals on a constant basis.
“None of the asylum seekers we are supporting have gone to the Bibby Stockholm today as legal representatives have had their transfers cancelled. Among our clients are people who are disabled, who have survived torture and modern slavery and who have had traumatic experiences at sea. To house any human being in a ‘quasi floating prison’ like the Bibby Stockholm is inhumane. To try and do so to this group of people is unbelievably cruel.”
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais Refugee Charity Group.
Additionally, the Amnesty International has condemned the use of the vessel to house asylum seekers. According to Steve Valdez-Symonds, its Director for Refugees and Migrant Rights, “It seems there’s nothing this government won’t do to make people seeking asylum feel unwelcome and unsafe in this country.”
“Reminiscent of the prison hulks from the Victorian era, the Bibby Stockholm is an utterly shameful way to house people who’ve fled terror, conflict and persecution. Housing people on a floating barge is likely to be re-traumatizing and there should be major concerns about confining each person to living quarters the typical size of a car parking space.”
Amnesty International.
According to the shadow immigration minister, Stephen Kinnock, Bibby Stockholm would house asylum seekers for the immediate future. Kinnock made this statement, when quizzed on whether the next labour administration would continue to use the vessel.
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