While the French government threatens its destruction a blockade has been launched of the The Calais ‘jungle’ refugee camp.
Last week’s visit to Calais by the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve could herald the end for the camp. Now this threat has been amplified by the launching of a blockade of the camp by local businesses, police, truck drivers, dockers and farmers. The blockade is backed by the Mayor of Calais, who is a member of the fascist Front National.
The camp is ‘home’ to some 9,000 people, around 800 of them are children, 700 unaccompanied, according to the latest census by Help Refugees.
We are year on from the death of Alan Kurdi, the boy found drowned on a beach in Greece, that shocked the world. But things are getting worse. Last week thousands of refugees were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea as they attempted to get to Europe. Now the Calais camp is facing destruction.
The British and French governments are failing in their duty of care towards the refugees, victims of war, poverty and oppression.
After years of statements scapegoating the refugees by the British and French governments, along with the right wing press, it is no surprize that people draw the mistaken conclusion that the refugees are a problem they have to deal with.
We oppose the planned destruction of the Calais camp and the blockade that has been initiated. The British government should live up to its international responsibilities, act on the Dubs amendment to the Immigration Bill now and allow unaccompanied children asylum in Britain and offer refugees the support and solidarity they deserve.
