Standing up for human rights on the French-UK borders

Source: People Not Walls

Events in Calais continue to push people to take to small boats in the Channel, not least the fact that they are systematically being deprived of food and shelter.

- The most damaging twist lately has been the issue of an injunction by the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais to stop the distribution of food, water and other items in certain parts of Calais by any organisation, because of the health and sanitary problems this causes. Those who continue to do so are incurring personal fines. In a statement signed by 10 NGOs, including Amnesty International, Help Refugees and Secours Catholique, they point out, 'yet again' that the situation has been caused by the authorities themselves, who have expelled the migrants from out-of-town encampments, and fenced off the areas. The migrants are thus forced to come into town, where the NGO volunteers attempt to provide hot meals and water, while still avoiding residential areas, and are being fined for this humanitarian aid.

- An attempt is being considered to mount a legal challenge to this ruling. The NGOs state that this injunction contravenes the constitutional value of 'Fraternity', in preventing citizens from freely giving aid and satisfying basic needs of the exiles present in Calais. They will, they say, continue to support people in need. Meanwhile L'Auberge des Migrants ('The Migrants Hotel', a coalition of organisations), has written directly to the Prefect, asking for the injunction to be removed.

- On Wednesday morning (16th September), several deputies (MPs) from the new Ecology, Democracy, Solidarity Party visited Calais to see for themselves the contested distribution points. They called for the Prefect's injunction to be overturned. (The new Minister for the Interior, M Gérald Darmanin, met Priti Patel in Calais in July, but did not visit the NGOs to hear their experience or views).

- On September 26th the NGOs will mount a demonstration for the right to provide adequate provisions for migrants or exiled persons, as they prefer to call them, commensurate with their human dignity.

People Not Walls will support the action here in the UK, and we will hand a petition in to the Home Office and the French Embassy asking for decent conditions for migrants on the borders as well as safe and legal routes for them.

Please sign the petition! www.change.org/PeopleNotWalls