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Version 1 | Version 2 |
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Calais migrant eviction under way | Calais migrant eviction under way |
(19 minutes later) | |
French police have begun an operation to dismantle a makeshift camp set up by migrants near the port of Calais. | French police have begun an operation to dismantle a makeshift camp set up by migrants near the port of Calais. |
Hundreds of police were evicting about 300 migrants still in the camp, known as "the jungle", although more than 1,000 migrants had already left. | |
There were reports that some rights protesters had been arrested. | |
Refugee groups have urged Britain to take some of the asylum seekers but the UK says reports it could be forced to take migrants were wrong. | Refugee groups have urged Britain to take some of the asylum seekers but the UK says reports it could be forced to take migrants were wrong. |
Resigned | Resigned |
The BBC's Emma Jane Kirby says that overnight the inhabitants put up banners saying "please don't destroy our jungle - this is our home" but she says they seemed resigned to their eviction. | |
We expect those who are not in need of protection to return home UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson | We expect those who are not in need of protection to return home UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson |
Rights activists initially formed a human chain as the operation began early on Tuesday. | |
But officers then started to lead out the migrants individually. They offered no resistance, although the rights protesters continued to shout slogans and some were reportedly arrested. | |
The migrants are being bussed to centres around Calais for processing. | |
France says all will be offered the chance to apply for asylum or voluntary assisted repatriation. | |
However, many of the camp's inhabitants left before the operation and correspondents say it is feared they will simply set up camp somewhere else. | |
'Delighted' | |
On their last night in the camp, some of those who remained said they feared for the future. | On their last night in the camp, some of those who remained said they feared for the future. |
One resident, Bashir, a 24-year-old English teacher from northern Afghanistan, told the AFP news agency he had paid $15,000 (10,000 euros; £9,000) to travel to Europe through Pakistan and Istanbul. | One resident, Bashir, a 24-year-old English teacher from northern Afghanistan, told the AFP news agency he had paid $15,000 (10,000 euros; £9,000) to travel to Europe through Pakistan and Istanbul. |
Officials say the illegal camps are a health hazard | |
He said: "We have no idea what the police will do, if they will take us or let us go free. | He said: "We have no idea what the police will do, if they will take us or let us go free. |
"But here we already made our place. We have our homes, our showers and our mosque," he added. | "But here we already made our place. We have our homes, our showers and our mosque," he added. |
UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson, speaking after talks in Brussels with his French counterpart Eric Besson on Monday, said he was "delighted" about the closure of the camp. | |
He said genuine refugees should apply for asylum in the country where they entered the EU. | He said genuine refugees should apply for asylum in the country where they entered the EU. |
Mr Johnson said: "Both countries are committed to helping individuals who are genuine refugees, who should apply for protection in the first safe country that they reach. | Mr Johnson said: "Both countries are committed to helping individuals who are genuine refugees, who should apply for protection in the first safe country that they reach. |
"We expect those who are not in need of protection to return home." | "We expect those who are not in need of protection to return home." |
On Monday a spokesman for EU justice commissioner Jacques Barrot denied reports he had called for a change in the law to allow some migrants to be fast-tracked into the UK. | On Monday a spokesman for EU justice commissioner Jacques Barrot denied reports he had called for a change in the law to allow some migrants to be fast-tracked into the UK. |
Michele Cercone told the BBC there was no attempt to force countries to take asylum seekers and Mr Barrot was urging France and the UK to "find a joint solution". | Michele Cercone told the BBC there was no attempt to force countries to take asylum seekers and Mr Barrot was urging France and the UK to "find a joint solution". |
The UK-based Refugee Council wants Britain to accept some migrants, particularly children, with family connections in the UK. | The UK-based Refugee Council wants Britain to accept some migrants, particularly children, with family connections in the UK. |
French officials had said the jungle had become a haven for people-smuggling gangs and a no-go zone for local residents. | |
Makeshift insanitary camps sprang up after officials closed the Red Cross centre at Sangatte in November 2002. | Makeshift insanitary camps sprang up after officials closed the Red Cross centre at Sangatte in November 2002. |