Campaigners fighting for a safe space for hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees in Calais have lost a legal challenge to re-open the warehouse brutally closed down by French police earlier this month.
Kronstad Hanger had been legally rented by campaigners – including SoS Soutien o Sans Papiers and the No Borders group – after hundreds were camping in the streets and on waste ground following the destruction of their camp by police last year.
Twice the hanger was opened so that asylum seekers and refugees could use it – first as a night shelter and then as a day centre – but twice it was closed down by the police and padlocked.
Marie Chautempts of Calais Migrant Solidarity said: “While the authorities are blocking any shelter proposals, migrants in Calais are facing one of the coldest winters in recent history and a constant ritual of police harassment. The situation is degrading and goes against any common understanding of decent behaviour towards other human beings. Something has to be done, so we are fighting to creating to a space for migrants to come and engage in activities at their leisure.”
Britain has been backing the French government in its attempts to close down camps for refugees in Calais for fear of further asylum seekers entering this country. The raids were supported by the Mayor of Calais, but the organisations behind the refugees say the action was illegal.
A second legal challenge was being made this week. The judge threw out the first – saying it was not in the public interest.
