Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP Photo/Jerome Delay
migrant crisis

Hundreds to be moved as France to begin bulldozing 'The Jungle' migrant camp

Migrants have been offered new accommodation in containers.

A FRENCH COURT yesterday gave the green light to plans to evacuate hundreds of migrants from the notorious “Jungle” camp in Calais as the mayor said the process would take place over the next three weeks.

Activists had appealed to the court to stop the evacuation of the southern half of the sprawling camp in the port town, with many of the migrants wanting to stay near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel, the gateway to their ultimate goal of Britain.

But an official at the court in Lille said the decision to clear part of the Jungle had been “validated”.

Calais town authorities have promised that no one will be evacuated from the Jungle by force.

The mayor, Natacha Bouchart, said: “I am satisfied by this responsible decision which will allow the progressive dismantling of the southern part of the Jungle to proceed over the next three weeks.”

An official who asked not to be named said discussions would continue with migrants’ representatives to persuade the migrants to leave “so that they have a roof over their heads”.

PastedImage-6200 AP Photo / Jerome Delay AP Photo / Jerome Delay / Jerome Delay

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve welcomed the court’s decision, saying it backed up the authorities’ moves to clear part of the camp.

“The operation to put the refugees under protection will continue, using all of the existing accommodation solutions,” he said.

Local authorities say there are a total of 3,700 residents in the camp, and that between 800 and 1,000 will be affected by the eviction.

But charities say a recent census they conducted found at least 3,450 people living in the southern part of the Jungle alone, including 300 unaccompanied children.

The evicted migrants have been offered heated accommodation in refitted containers set up next door to the camp, but many are reluctant to move there because they lack any communal spaces and movement is restricted.

© – AFP 2016

Read: Facebook employees crossed out ‘black lives matter’ slogan on office wall

Read: Three killed, 14 wounded after man storms workplace with “assault-style” weapon

Your Voice
Readers Comments
81
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.