By Sarah Lafen
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe
PARIS, France — French President Francois Hollande has made clear his “determination” to maintain the UK’s assistance in the refugee crisis, as the Calais refugee camp is set to be shut down in the coming months. Hollande emphasizes that despite Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, they are not relieved of responsibility in the migrant refugee crisis in Europe. Rather, Holland considers Britain’s obligations to this issue increased in accordance with their decision to leave the EU.
Hollande explains that the objectives of France are clear in that they plan to close the camp in order to “guarantee the security of people in Calais, to maintain public order, and to assure proper conditions for the migrants.” In addition to the interests of the people of Calais, the closing of the camp is expected to solidify the “firmness’ of the French-British border. It is Hollande’s plan to disperse the migrants currently residing at the Calais jungle to other camps across France.
On his first trip to the Calais jungle since his election in 2012, Hollande insisted that border control in the area is “watertight,” despite evidence that suggest up to 200 migrants per week are being smuggled through Calais each week.
Britain has contributed an estimated £85 million towards reinforcement of security surrounding the Calais jungle camp. In addition, Britain is in the process of funding the construction of a concrete wall to be built along the port in Calais in an effort to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel.
Charlie Elphicke, Tory MP for Dover, believes that the French government needs to ensure the camp is actually dismantled as Hollande claims it will be. Elphicke states that “Britain has already paid millions for walls and fences in Calais. Yet the French keep asking for more of our money.” He believes the taxpayers’ money should be spent on increased security at the British port of Dover, and calls on Hollande to permanently return the migrants to their home countries.
The British Home Office responded to some of Hollande’s remarks, vowing to resettle “vulnerable” children.
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