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| The UK Home Office's media campaign aims to educate migrants about the consequences of illegal immigration to the UK and to prevent the tricks of human trafficking criminals. (Source: UK Home Office) |
According to the UK Home Office, thousands of people are trafficked every year because they fall for the tricks of human trafficking gangs. These gangs, for profit, disregard human life, and buy and sell people to the UK through the world's busiest sea route, the English Channel.
On March 25, hoping to continue the success of the media campaign focusing on migrants from Albania, the British Home Office launched its latest media campaign focusing on people intending to migrate from Vietnam.
Previously, media messages in Albania used real stories from migrants and their regrets about choosing the illegal migration route to the UK, to highlight the risks and consequences of joining criminal gangs and taking part in this dangerous sea journey.
According to the British Embassy in Hanoi, the new phase of the campaign will be launched on social media, including Facebook and YouTube, targeting those considering embarking on the risky journey of illegal migration to the UK. Social media posts will focus on the consequences of illegal migration to the UK, the dangers migrants face, and the risks of debt and being trafficked by people-smuggling gangs who profit from smuggling people across borders, including by boat.
In a statement, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “This campaign sends a strong message and reflects the reality of life for illegal migrants in the UK. This is a far cry from the visions promised by criminal gangs across the Channel. Last year, a similar campaign targeting migrants from Albania led to a 90% drop in illegal boat arrivals from that country and a third less illegal migrants entering the UK. These efforts must continue.
Vietnam is an important partner of the UK in preventing and combating illegal migration. Therefore, expanding the media campaign to migrants from Vietnam will help both countries protect more people, as well as prevent and destroy criminal groups using despicable tricks to profit.”
The campaign is designed to help migrants recognise that being in the UK illegally means having no rights and no access to public services or support from the UK Government. The UK Government has also launched a new website featuring real-life videos from UK Border and Immigration Enforcement officers who regularly witness illegal migrants being trafficked into slavery or forced into illegal work.
Criminal gangs force illegal migrants to live in inhumane, crowded and dangerous conditions, without access to basic sanitation, health care and legal employment. Officers recounted some of the most poignant stories of their work and their experiences rescuing migrants by inflatable boat from life-threatening situations in the English Channel.
This new phase of the campaign follows successful campaigns in Albania, France and Belgium, and is the latest in the UK’s efforts to work with countries around the world to tackle the global migration crisis. Similar campaigns in other countries will be considered.
According to the British Embassy, the Vietnamese and British governments have been working closely to crack down on illegal immigration routes into the UK and deport people living in the UK illegally. On April 17 in London, the two countries will continue to hold a high-level meeting to discuss enhancing cooperation on migration and immigration issues.
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