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World Refugee Day: Launch of cross-channel human rights initiative for refugees at French-British border


image: COMECE

image: COMECE

Today - World Refugee Day - a new and innovative cross-channel human rights initiative is being launched by French and British civil society, making a forceful statement against the extremely dire conditions, inhumane and degrading treatment, and excessive police violence facing refugees in Northern France.

The initiative, which operates under the name People Not Walls, is made up of French and British civil society, faith groups and NGOs - including Help Refugees, Secours Catholique, L'Auberge des Migrants, the Diocese of Canterbury and Refugee Rights Europe with a number of other community-based groups - supporting displaced people living a perilous existence in Northern France.

To mark the launch of this first-ever cross-channel human rights partnership, the group is staging simultaneous public awareness events on both sides of the Channel: on the British side, taking the shape of a 6pm vigil and walk in solidarity in St-Margaret's-at-Cliffe near Dover, and a peaceful evening gathering of locals, refugees and support workers on the beach in Calais. A timetable follows on the final page of this release, indicating other events taking place during the day in central Dover, starting at 12.30pm.

People Not Walls are uniting in a joint call for action to the French and UK governments, demanding that the current heavy-handed and security-focused approach is replaced by a humanitarian alternative which respects the fundamental rights of exiled individuals trapped at the border.

The event marks the beginning of a first-ever cross-channel campaign aimed at promoting policy change through targeted advocacy at the French, British and European levels. A Declaration summarising the group's concerns and demands for change will be launched during the day - a copy is attached to our covering email.

Barbara Kentish, interim coordinator of People Not Walls, said: "We've come together in an act of solidarity across the Channel, calling on the French and British governments to bring about meaningful change. It's time to show that love knows no borders."

Hisham Aly, Coordinator of Secours Catholique in Calais, commented: "We're calling for unequivocal respect for the human rights and dignity for all those seeking a better future or sanctuary from oppression, persecution and conflict. We're convinced that a different reality is possible, and call on the two Governments to start investing in people, not walls."

Maddy Allen, Field Coordinator at Help Refugees, said: "It's abhorrent that the British and French Governments continue to treat vulnerable people with such disdain. We've decided enough is enough. We're joining forces to make sure our respective Governments act within the law, and in line with their international obligations."

Refugees in Northern France: The Wider Context

For decades, displaced individuals who are seeking to reach Britain through Northern France have been finding themselves in situations of extreme vulnerability, exposed to inhumane and degrading treatment and facing excessive police violence. Refugees and displaced people report arbitrary arrests and placement in administrative detention centres, where they often experience further violence and are left without access to food or water, sometimes for long periods of time.

The use of tear gas, pepper spray and other agents and intimidation tactics, including sleep deprivation, appears to be part of a conscious strategy to create an extremely hostile environment for refugees and displaced people in Northern France. Pushed deeper into hedges and sand dunes, living in ditches and on rubbish tips, refugees are being forced further into the margins of society - out of sight, out of mind. Meanwhile, volunteers and humanitarian workers who relentlessly provide much needed aid to the people in displacement regularly face intimidation and obstruction to their work by the authorities.

Behind the heavy-handed and inhumane approach implemented in Northern France, are vast amounts of British funding. Press reports2 indicate that measures along the Channel between 2015 and 2017 cost about £100 million (€114 million), plus £44.5 million (€51 million) added in the 2018 Sandhurst agreement to "strengthen the security infrastructure".


World Refugee Day programme - Thursday 20 June 2019

Mark the Day on Kent's White Cliffs Coast, in solidarity with refugees in Calais

All are welcome - feel free to join in or depart at times that suit your availability!

12h30: A pause at the memorial for deceased migrants CT16 1LW (on Marine Parade near Premier Inn and ferry terminal)
13h00: Vigil opposite the port entrance
13h00: Picnic/lunch on the seafront, or free time
14h30: Visit to Samphire's Community Engagement and ex-Detainee Projects (Working with local migrant and British communities to improve social cohesion)
15h30: Walk around Dover, or free time
16h30: Skype and Messenger conversations with partners in Calais
7h45: Gather in St-Margaret's-at-Cliffe Parish Church CT15 6AU (St-Margaret's-at-Cliffe, 4m from Dover, is the village closest to the French coast)
18h00: World Refugee Day Service, celebrating togetherness and solidarity with others
18h00: Simultaneous event starts on Calais beach
18h30: Tea & coffee in church - bring food to share elsewhere
19h10: Walk of witness with lanterns to cliff-top green, overlooking the Channel
19h30: Display of banner and reading of 'People not Walls' Declaration
20h00: Conclusion simultaneously with colleagues in Calais

NOTE: There is good access to all sites for the less able, and public toilets are nearby

London coach departs at 10h30 from Tottenham (St John Vianney Church N15 3QL), or fast trains run to Dover Priory station from St Pancras or Stratford International to join in at any of the times and places listed.

(Book coach with Barbara Kentish - 07758630961)

For enquiries contact Ben Bano (07887 651117) or Phil Kerton (0774 009 6618)

LINK

www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com

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