Here’s the lowdown:
- French politician suggests deporting migrants to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
- The proposal has been met with widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
- Critics are calling the plan inhumane and impractical.
The Controversial Proposal
Laurent Wauquiez, a leading figure in France’s right-wing Republicans party, has proposed sending “dangerous” foreigners who refuse to leave France to the remote islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located off the coast of Canada. He suggests they would have a “choice”: go to the island or return to their home country.
Why Saint Pierre and Miquelon?
Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a small archipelago with a population of fewer than 6,000 people. Wauquiez hopes the islands’ harsh climate – an average yearly temperature of 5 degrees Celsius and frequent rain and snow – would deter migrants.
Backlash from All Sides
Wauquiez’s proposal has been met with fierce criticism from across the political spectrum:
- Overseas Minister Manuel Valls (Centrist): Denounced the idea as the method of a colonizer.
- Boris Vallaud (Socialist): Called the proposal “shameful” and “stupid,” comparing it to a “Guantanamo-on-Sea.”
- Marine Le Pen (Far-Right): Argued that those under obligation to leave France should be returned to their country of origin, not another French territory.
Historical Precedent: A Dark Chapter?
Critics have drawn parallels to France’s past practice of sending prisoners to penal colonies, such as Devil’s Island in French Guiana, a practice that ended in 1953. Some view Wauquiez’s proposal as a similar form of exile.
Is There a Real-World Example?
Wauquiez has stated that his idea was inspired by Australia’s policy of sending undocumented migrants to Nauru, a tiny Pacific nation. However, this policy has been widely condemned due to reports of detainee deaths, suicide attempts, and human rights concerns.
The Bigger Picture: France’s Shifting Politics
This proposal comes amid a shift to the right in French politics. The government is increasingly adopting far-right talking points on issues such as security and immigration, making this proposal even more concerning to some.
