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Channel migrants: Children among those crossing in small boats

PA Media Boat of migrants at DoverPA Media
Women and children were amongst the migrants brought to Dover on Monday

Women and children wrapped in blankets have been brought ashore at Dover after crossing the English Channel in small boats.

It comes after 685 people arrived last week, including 234 on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence has said.

More than 9,000 people have been detected crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year.

About 8,400 migrants made the crossing in the whole of 2020, with over 28,000 making the journey in 2021.

In April the government announced plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

PA Media Migrants at DoverPA Media
More than 9,000 people have been detected crossing the Channel in small boats so far this year

The latest crossings come as the UN's refugee agency, the UNHCR, reiterated its concerns over the government's plan to deport migrants.

In a post on Twitter, it said: "Financial support abroad for certain refugee crises cannot replace the responsibility of states and the obligation to receive asylum seekers and protect refugees on their own territory - irrespective of race, nationality and mode of arrival."

The comments follow a visit by Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta to Geneva last week to meet representatives from the body.

According to the Home Office, Ms Patel and Mr Biruta reinforced their "commitment to working in collaboration with UN agencies" on the deportation plan and "emphasised" that claims will be processed in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention.

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