French Police Accused of Failing to Save Drowning Syrian Migrant During State Visit
London, UK – As French President Emmanuel Macron visits London for a state visit, the UK has announced its support for French police intercepting and slashing migrant boats. However, experts and campaigners are warning that this tactic will put the lives of migrants at risk. In light of this, a new investigation by The New Arab (TNA) has revealed a tragic case of French police failure to save a drowning Syrian migrant.
Jumaa al-Hasan, a young Syrian man, drowned on the night between 2 and 3 March 2024 in the north of France during an attempted police interception. The investigation uncovers that despite the close proximity of officers on shore and repeated warnings from those travelling with Jumaa al-Hasan, the police did nothing to save the 27-year-old. In the aftermath of his death, the fire brigade carried out only a minimal search.
The one-year-long investigation, co-published with French investigative outlet Disclose, French NGO Index, and Italian research centre Liminal, used 3D digital modelling to reconstruct the circumstances of Jumaa’s death. The findings raise questions about the dangers of attempted crossings in the Channel, the responsibilities of the French police, and the failures of the emergency services. Despite numerous similar cases, official investigations have chosen to focus solely on smuggling networks, a stance that is now supported by the UK despite its implications for human rights.
As a result of these revelations, French NGO Utopia56 has announced its intention to file a “Note of Intervention” to prompt courts to investigate the role of the police and firefighters in Jumaa’s case, as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The full investigation can be found here, and high-resolution images are available for media use with credit to The New Arab. For media inquiries, please contact Outreach.uk@fadaatmedia.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
-Read the full investigation here.
-High-resolution images are attached to this investigation for use in your coverage. All images and videos are © The New Arab. They may be republished for news reporting and editorial purposes, with credit to The New Arab.
For media inquiries, please contact: Outreach.uk@fadaatmedia.com
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