Public Defender of Rights (Défenseur des droits), Report on exiles and fundamental rights: the situation in Calais (Rapport Exilés et droits fondamentaux : la situation sur le territoire de Calais ), October 2015
Country
France
Title
Year
Type of publication
Geographical coverage
Regional
Area/location of interest
Type of Institution
National human rights body
Institution
Main Thematic Focus
Discrimination
Target Population
Migrants
Key findings
The report looks at discrimination towards the migrants living in camps in Calais. Calais remains a spectacular symptom of the pitfalls of the migration policy of the European Union through what is called “the immigration crisis”, an inappropriate expression, as if this phenomenon is more the fruit of fate than temporary political choices. Independently of violence related to the living conditions, of those related to the unclear nature of the roles entrusted to the police, the common thread of the various stages of the migrants' path is marked by the primacy of control of the respect of fundamental rights, whether this concerns entering the European continent or crossing the various borders thereafter. The only way of effectively protecting all exiles against the risk of human trafficking lies in the opening up of legal means of emigration through measures provided for by European legislation, such as humanitarian visas.
Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)
Qualitative and Quantitative (face to face interviews)
Sample details and representativeness
Interviews were conducted with NGOs, doctors, police and prefecture during the visits on the territory of Calais