Dr. Vicky Taylor of Bhatt Murphy is speaking about her research on the criminalisation of people seeking safety in the UK at an upcoming event organised by the Refugee Law Initiative, University of London.
In 2022, the British government introduced a new criminal offence of ‘illegal arrival’, and have subsequently imprisoned over 600 people for crossing the English Channel on a ‘small boat’. These people include asylum seekers, refugees, victims of trafficking and torture, and children with ongoing age disputes. In collaboration with NGOs supporting those affected, Vicky has previously published research on this issue: ‘No Such Thing as Justice Here’, and ‘I Told Them the Truth’.
In December 2025, the Labour government passed new legislation – the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act – which created new offences for use against people crossing the Channel. This Act will be used to further criminalise people seeking safety in the UK.
This seminar asks: What do current responses to irregular migration, such as the new EU Pact and Britain’s response to Channel small boat crossings, tell us about the direction of travel politically? What is their compatibility with international law – and will they end up changing it? What are their implications for other States? Do they represent an existential threat to refugee protection?
The event is scheduled for 9 December 2025 at 6pm. Room 369, Third Floor, Senate House, WC1E 7HU.
The link to register can be found here.
