NGO Report Exposes Catastrophic Failures in UK-France Border Policies
A damning new report from the NGO Project Play has accused the UK and French governments of "catastrophic failures" leading to the deaths of 22 children attempting to cross the Channel in the past two years. The organization, which has worked with over 2,192 children seeking asylum in the UK from northern France, documented widespread mistreatment and violence against minors in the region.
Violent Tactics Funded by UK Taxpayers
Project Play's investigation highlights that since 2023, the UK has provided £473 million to France for border security in northern France, but the allocation of these funds remains opaque. The report asserts that UK taxpayers are unwittingly financing aggressive measures, including regular teargassing, forced evictions, and the slashing of dinghies by French police, which have resulted in record child fatalities.
Among the victims was eight-year-old Agdad Hilmi from Turkey, who died from crushing or asphyxiation in an overcrowded dinghy last year, alongside her mother. The NGO recorded five such deaths in 2025 alone, all attributed to unsafe conditions in small boats.
Children Endure Severe Hardships and Trauma
The report details harrowing accounts from children affected by these policies. A four-year-old girl described teargas as "scary scary scary ouch," while another child likened the sensation to something "spicy" in her mouth, eyes, and lungs. Due to their smaller respiratory systems, children suffer more severe effects from teargas exposure.
In one incident, a four-year-old sustained chemical burns from dinghy fuel mixed with salt water, and a 12-year-old recounted being teargassed and witnessing police slash her boat. Many children have developed a deep fear of police, often reenacting scenes of violence or hiding in play, with one child using a pretend siren to "arrest" a caregiver.
Legal Routes Blocked, Forcing Dangerous Alternatives
Project Play found that families attempting to use legal pathways, such as the "one in one out" scheme, frequently face rejection. In one case, a man's application was denied because his six-year-old and one-year-old children lacked proper documentation, compelling the family to risk a small boat crossing. The father was subsequently beaten by French police on a beach, suffering multiple broken ribs.
Katie Hall, advocacy coordinator at Project Play, condemned the situation, stating, "What we are seeing is a catastrophic failure on both sides of the Channel to ensure that children's rights are protected. Investment to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds has correlated with a sharp rise in violence, including record child fatalities."
Calls for Inquiry and Commemorative Vigils
The report urges a statutory inquiry into the border security operations and demands safe, accessible routes for asylum seekers. In response, Project Play is organizing vigils in London, Leeds, and Manchester this weekend to honor the 22 deceased children, featuring a two-minute silence and symbolic toy placements.
The Home Office and France's Ministry of the Interior have been contacted for comments but have not yet responded. This report underscores ongoing human rights concerns at the UK-France border, calling for immediate policy reforms to protect vulnerable children.
