BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. The Dutch Human Rights Committee has been informed that the situation with migrants in Calais and Saintes (France) still raises serious concerns, the Member of the Human Rights Committee from the Netherlands Yvonne Donders said at the 142nd meeting of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee, Trend reports.
“We understand that France continues to enforce a ‘zero entrenchment’ policy whereby temporary shelters are systematically dismantled every 48 hours, sometimes with excessive use of force. Can France explain how the government informs migrants about the 48-hour rule and the possible dismantling of their temporary shelters? The dismantling of temporary shelters, mainly targeting irregular migrants in Mayotte, notably under Operation Wambouchou from February 2023, raises similar concerns. Could France consider more humane and proportionate alternatives to dismantling? This would include increasing the capacity of reception centers. Could France also indicate how it is documenting these operations with a view to a possible review of their compliance with articles 7, 9, and 17 of the Covenant. What measures has the country taken to facilitate the reporting of police abuse?”, she said.
According to her, the Committee also expressed concern about reports of migrants being detained at the Franco-Italian border without legal grounds, which creates conditions inconsistent with humanitarian norms. Donders questioned how France ensures that such detentions are not arbitrary and that migrants are informed of their rights.
“The Committee was also informed that the Immigration Act of January 2024 expands the criteria for expulsion to include minor offenses and conduct considered a threat to public order, and allows authorities to place a foreign national under administrative detention for reasons related to a potential threat to public order without having to justify the expulsion,” she added.