Brain in a Vat cover image

Brain in a Vat

Refugees and Border Control | Bradley Hillier-Smith

Sep 29, 2024
Bradley Hillier-Smith, an advocate for refugees, discusses the ethical obligations of wealthier nations to support those in need. He shares a harrowing personal account from the Calais camp clearance, illustrating state responsibilities. The conversation delves into the moral complexities of refugee policies, defining various refugee types, and counterarguments regarding state interests. Hillier-Smith uses analogies like the 'drowning child' to highlight our duties and stresses the need for humane resettlement solutions while balancing local citizens' rights.
01:10:33

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Quick takeaways

  • Wealthier nations have a moral obligation to accept and support refugees, going beyond mere observation of their suffering.
  • The experiences of refugees vary significantly, necessitating tailored responses from states to effectively address their unique needs.

Deep dives

The Calais Refugee Camp Incident

The partial clearance and destruction of the Calais refugee camp in 2016 profoundly highlighted the moral obligations of states towards refugees. This incident involved the use of riot police to forcibly remove refugees, leading to severe human rights violations, including physical violence and emotional trauma. The immediate aftermath saw over 100 unaccompanied children go missing while some refugees resorted to extreme protests as a response to their treatment. Such events exposed the ethical failures of state responses to individuals simply seeking safety, raising questions about what constitutes an appropriate ethical response to refugees.

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