Calais migrants ‘exhausted’ and ‘scared’ as police evictions continue, says human rights charity

Migrants in Calais threatened with eviction from their camps are feeling "exhausted, scared and not knowing which way to turn", a charity that works with them has said.

Workers in the camps in Calais on the northern French coast said that the evictions are fuelling the large numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel in recent weeks.

The founder of Care4Calais, a charity that delivers aid and support for the migrants while campaigning for a welcoming and inclusive attitude, said people should have more compassion for the migrants.

She said: “I have been in Calais for five years and yet every day I hear new stories from people who have lost their families in conflicts, suffered torture under harsh regimes or been cruelly persecuted for political or religious beliefs.

“They never chose to leave their homes and everything they know; migrants are forced to flee by terrible events beyond their control.

“Priti Patel’s calls for more action have resulted in daily police raids that leave people exhausted, scared and not knowing which way to turn.”

Ms Moseley has previously criticised tactics used by French police like using tear gas on migrants.

She said that some areas have been fenced off, leaving people with no choice but to sleep on bare tarmac and under hedges.

Ms Moseley added: “They don’t understand why they are treated in this way; they have broken no laws and done no harm, and only want to be given the chance to rebuild their lives.

“The people here in Calais are turning to us for help and I believe there are a great many people across the UK who do care and do want to help them.”

And she hit out strongly at proposals to deploy the Royal Navy to the English Channel in response to the small boats making the crossing.

She said: “Sending warships to meet traumatised migrants is not the response of a civilised nation.

“They are exhausted, scared and defenceless. They are not in any way a threat.”

The charity has launched an emergency appeal to help continue its work: care4calais.org/emergency-appeal

With additional reporting by PA

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