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Camp closure 'won't end problem' Camp closure 'won't end problem'
(10 minutes later)
Refugee campaigners have welcomed the closure of the camp known as the "Calais jungle", but warned that the problem will shift elsewhere.Refugee campaigners have welcomed the closure of the camp known as the "Calais jungle", but warned that the problem will shift elsewhere.
"It is quite right that it should be shut down," said Dan Hodges from the charity Refugee Action."It is quite right that it should be shut down," said Dan Hodges from the charity Refugee Action.
"But while it is possible to sweep away the camp, you can't simply sweep away the problem.""But while it is possible to sweep away the camp, you can't simply sweep away the problem."
He says the French government must take responsibility and let the migrants claim asylum or help them return home.He says the French government must take responsibility and let the migrants claim asylum or help them return home.
Donna Covey, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the closure was dealing with symptoms rather than the cause, and the big question was what happened to the migrants now. 'Repeat' warning
The chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Donna Covey, said the closure was dealing with symptom rather than the cause, and the big question was what happened to the migrants now.
"We hope that all the people, including the very vulnerable, like women and children on their own who are trying to get to a place of safety, are given access to an asylum system."We hope that all the people, including the very vulnerable, like women and children on their own who are trying to get to a place of safety, are given access to an asylum system.
"This is a European-wide problem which needs a solution at European level," she said. "This is a European-wide problem which needs a solution at European level," she commented.
Hundreds of asylum seekers merely moved to the dockside of Calais. The liquidation of the jungle will have the same transitory effect Keith Best, Immigration Advisory ServiceHundreds of asylum seekers merely moved to the dockside of Calais. The liquidation of the jungle will have the same transitory effect Keith Best, Immigration Advisory Service
Makeshift camps sprang up in Calais following the closure of the Red Cross camp in Sangatte in 2002. Migrant charities warn that things will be no different this time.Makeshift camps sprang up in Calais following the closure of the Red Cross camp in Sangatte in 2002. Migrant charities warn that things will be no different this time.
"I remember seven years ago when former home secretary, David Blunkett, and the then French minister of the interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, congratulated themselves on the closure," Keith Best of the Immigration Advisory Service said. "I remember seven years ago when former Home Secretary, David Blunkett, and the then French Minister of the Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, congratulated themselves on the closure," Keith Best of the Immigration Advisory Service said.
"But the hundreds of asylum seekers merely moved to the dockside of Calais. The liquidation of the jungle will have the same transitory effect," he said. "But the hundreds of asylum seekers merely moved to the dockside of Calais. The liquidation of the jungle will have the same transitory effect," he comments.
Mr Best said it is very difficult to claim asylum in France, and suggested that the French are not playing their part despite obligations under the Geneva Convention. Mr Best says it's very difficult to claim asylum in France, and the French are not playing their part despite their obligation under the Geneva Convention.
'Soft touch''Soft touch'
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has welcomed the camp's closure, but says Britain will not take in any of the migrants. The Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, has welcomed the camp's closure, but says Britain will not take in any of the migrants.
Genuine refugees should apply for asylum where they entered the EU, or be helped to return home, he said on Monday.Genuine refugees should apply for asylum where they entered the EU, or be helped to return home, he said on Monday.
Britain's immigration policy is part of the problem, says Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the Migrationwatch think-tank. Britain's immigration policy is part of the problem, says Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the think tank, Migrationwatch.
"This is a welcome decision but it will not tackle the root cause of the problem, namely that Britain is regarded as a 'soft touch'."This is a welcome decision but it will not tackle the root cause of the problem, namely that Britain is regarded as a 'soft touch'.
"Why else would people be queuing up in Calais?" he added. "Why else would people be queuing up in Calais?" he adds.
Sir Andrew said the government should be more serious about removing failed asylum seekers, and rule out absolutely any talk of an amnesty.Sir Andrew said the government should be more serious about removing failed asylum seekers, and rule out absolutely any talk of an amnesty.
Richard Ashworth, Conservative MEP for South East England, said the decision to close the camp was long overdue, but the French government needed to do more if the situation is to be resolved.
"It is now incumbent on the French government to deal with illegal immigration at the point of entry into France, and not simply funnel them through creating this sorry bottleneck along the Pas de Calais and Normandy coasts," he says.