France/Britain - Calais migrant camps

British hail French riot police raid on 'Jungle' migrant camp

Article published on the 2009-09-22 Latest update 2009-09-22 11:10 TU

An illegal Afghan migrant at a camp in Calais on 22 September 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

French riot police clashed with protestors in Calais on Tuesday morning as they began closing down an unofficial migrant camp known as the Jungle. 278 people were arrested during the round-up, which authorities say was “a very important operation” intended to stop people-traffickers from controlling the Channel coast.

Activists tried to set up a human chain around the migrants at the Jungle camp in Calais, northern France. But police, some with truncheons, managed to break up the demonstrations, and led away 278 migrants, half of whom identified themselves as minors.

The police will now tear down the makeshift camp, which was originally formed following the closure of the Sangatte shelter in 2002.

French authorities said that the camp was a haven for people-smuggling gangs and had bad sanitary conditions.

Police evacuating migrants from the Jungle camp in Calais on 22 September
(Photo: Reuters)

But activists, who pleaded with the authorities to provide proper shelter and protection, claim the operation was simply a media stunt to discourage the migrants from going to Calais.

Immigration Minister Eric Besson told French radio that they “will not let people-traffickers control the Channel coast”. He said the French would work closely with Belgium and the Netherlands to stop trafficking.

Most of the migrants at the Jungle camp were male and of Afghan origin, prompting some activist groups to denounce the treatment of migrants who have fled the war.

Although authorities say they will not be forcibly returned to their country, aid groups insist that it is very likely that they will end up back on the streets after some time.

The British authorities have described the French operation as “swift and decisive” and pledged to continue their support with UK Border Agency officers.

British Home Secretary Alan Johnson welcomed, “action which will disrupt illegal immigration and people trafficking routes,” adding that “France is honouring the agreement”.

According to the statement one million lorries crossing the Channel or La Manche, were stopped and searched last year, while 28,000 individual attempts were stopped.

There will also be “significant investment” in the “latest state-of-the-art equipment” to boost searches of vehicles and goods heading for Britain.