Kent News - United Nations bid to keep illegals in France

How to advertise
Contact us
Friday, September 3 2010, 6:32

Search local news and sport:

The latest news, sport, business, entertainment and local information where you live...

United Nations bid to keep illegals in France

<< Back to home

Waiting to cross in Calais

MPs have welcomed a move by the United Nations set up an office in Calias in an attempt to cut the number of illegal immigrants trying to get into Britain.

Thousands of migrants are living in makeshift accommodation in the French town before trying to get onto lorries entering the UK via Kent, mainly through Dover.

The undocumented immigrants will be told that if they wish, they can attempt to claim refugee status in France instead.

"It's not about trying to convince people to seek asylum in France, but simply to give them the information they need to make an informed decision," said Francisco Galindo, UN representative.

French authorities have said they plan to close the area, known as "the jungle", by the end of this year and replace it with a temporary centre offering migrants food and shelter.

The UN said its office would open in Calais on Wednesday June 3.

Mr Galindo said "We are not saying that the only solution to the problem is through asylum.”

"It is seen as a French problem, but it really is a regional and European problem."

Shadow immigration spokesman Mr Green, MP for Ashford, said the move by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was a "gesture worth making".

"But I remain to be convinced as to how effective it will be," he said. "It is only three people...and these (migrants) will have travelled, in many cases, halfway across the world."

Dover MP Mr Prosser said the fact that the UN was independent of the French and British made it a credible force.

"I hope they will be able to dissuade those who think there is a land of milk and honey over here that things are not like that," he said.

Conservative MEP for Kent Richard Ashworth is applauding the fresh presence of the UN in Calais.

Mr Ashworth has been campaigning for dissuading information, as part of a package of measures, to be made available to those seeking illegal entry into Britain from Calais since his fact finding trip to the area in 2007.

However, proposals for a "temporary" camp, at the sight of the now infamous immigrant "jungle", that offers food and shelter are causing some concern.

Mr Ashworth said:

"I applaud the fact that the UN are involving themselves in the fight against illegal immigration from Calais. Distributing information that dissuades immigrants from making the illegal and dangerous journey across the Channel to Britain is something I have been campaigning for since 2007.

However, the mere presence of the UN in the area should not put the brakes on further cooperation between the Home Office and French government to solve this problem.

The fact that a camp providing both food and shelter is set to be established by the end of the year is concerning, as previous camps in Northern France have acted as a focal point for people traffickers.

Renewed cooperation between our governments on illegal immigration is the only way to stop this new camp from slipping from temporary to permanent."

POSTED: 29/05/2009 08:45:00

If you¹ve got a complaint about your neighbourhood, or want to tell everyone about how great your town is, make a short film and post it on Your Kent TV service. Simply log on to YourKentTV.co.uk.