OVERRULED: Macron’s prefect says Calais WILL provide water to migrants after mayor refused
THE Mayor of Calais has been overruled in her decision to refuse refugees basic facilities.
Macron’s prefect said Calais will provide water to migrants after the mayor refused
Fabien Sudry, prefect for the Pas-de-Calais region, said portable showers and toilets for migrant rough sleepers will be installed “before the end of the week”.
Anti-immigrant mayor Natacha Bouchart defied a court order to provide food, water, showers and toilets for the refugees, fearing a third Jungle camp would develop.
She faced fines of £90 (€100) a day, but was overruled by the area prefect – which represents the state and works at the Government’s discretion.
Mr Sudry said: “I will be meeting with migrant charities and liaising with the local authorities to make sure the mobile facilities are installed as quickly as possible.
An estimated 450 migrants had returned to Calais, he revealed, less than one year after the notorious ‘Jungle’ refugee camp was demolished by the authorities.
He admitted the number of arrivals was “on the rise”.
Dover residents fear Calais' border controls could move to the UK
Anti-immigrant mayor Natacha Bouchart
The State Council – France’s supreme administrative court – ruled on Monday centrist President Emmanuel Macron’s government and the town of Calais had to make sure destitute refugees had access to drinking water, showers and toilets, adding that the migrants had been subjected to “inhumane and degrading treatment”.
We are working hard to make sure that the most vulnerable are able to access clean drinking water, toilets and showers
The ruling irked Calais officials, who had vowed to turn their town – long the focal point of France’s migrant crisis – into a migrant-free zone.
Mr Sudry said: “We are working hard to make sure that the most vulnerable are able to access clean drinking water, toilets and showers… The mobile facilities will hopefully be set up before the end of next week.”
The Government-run project would not see facilities installed in the centre of Calais, he said.
Fabien Sudry said facilities for migrant rough sleepers will be installed before the end of the week
He added: “We are looking for appropriate locations, preferably on the outskirts of town, as we remain determined to prevent ‘Jungle’-style tent camps from popping up in and around Calais. What we don’t want is for migrants to pitch tents near the showers and toilets.”
The state representative also commented on the government’s decision to open two reception centres about an hour’s drive from Calais, saying that the shelters – which will be able to take in some 300 migrants – would help speed up the asylum process for those stuck in Calais.