The Home Office labelled the men people smugglers after they were prosecuted for assisting unlawful migration and the government is now pushing to increase the punishment for the crime from 14 years to life imprisonment.
Following a landmark case won by an Iranian asylum seeker in April, The Independent understands that 12 men are taking their cases to the Court of Appeal.
Judges will convene a “special” court next month, where legal arguments will be made over four test cases and the resulting ruling will be applied to all linked appellants.
Three involve Iranian asylum seekers, while the fourth man is Kuwaiti.
All were arrested after being observed steering dinghies across the Channel and the Home Office publicised their convictions.
The hearing will start at the Court of Appeal on 14 December for at least two days.
The earliest case is that of Iranian Samyar Bani, who was prosecuted in June 2019 and jailed for six years.
Local media reported that a defence lawyer told the court the case was a “situation I have never heard of before” and: “He is as much of a victim as others who have found their way to our shores.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2021-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2021-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Arsenal must stop Man City from doing the inevitable
As Mikel Arteta addressed the Arsenal squad on Wednesday morning, the message was the same. That was to keep focusing on what they must do and forget about Manchester City.
Brighton confirm surprise exit of De Zerbi as manager
Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed that head coach Roberto De Zerbi will leave the Amex Stadium club after their final match of the season.
Singer's husband condemns rap star after assault video
Footage appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs hitting his ex
Fierce battles in north Gaza while aid arrives via US pier
Sustained attack on Rafah in south causes thousands to flee
Northern lights could soon be back in skies over Britain
The pink and green strobes of the northern lights could return to UK skies soon, meteorologists have said. The rare phenomenon could be seen throughout the UK and as far south as France last Friday and Saturday night following a severe solar storm.
Business tycoon and media boss O'Reilly dies aged 88
Tony O'Reilly owned The Independent titles until 2010.
Surfers on board in protest against sewage discharges
Thousands of people across the UK gathered at beaches, rivers and lakes yesterday to demand change in the country's water pollution levels. Protesters gathered at swimming spots from West Pier in Brighton to Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth following reports that millions of litres of raw sewage were pumped into Windermere in the Lake District for 10 hours in February.
Campaign maps 60 current sewage alerts on UK shores
After a report found that \"millions\" of litres of untreated sewage was illegally discharged into Lake Windermere, campaigners have raised concerns about the levels of pollution in British waters.
Picturesque holiday hotspot now abandoned ghost town
Alex Ross reports from Brixham where locals complain of cancelled hotel bookings, empty streets and dirty tap water
Devon water infections may increase in next two weeks
The number of people infected with a waterborne disease following a parasite outbreak in south Devon is likely to increase for up to two weeks, a public health boss has warned.