Tensions are high inside as 1200 police and officials started evicting migrants in Calais “Jungle” camp.
The makeshift camp houses 7,000 migrants in squalid conditions.
The First batch of refugees have been peacefully processed and would be transferred to refugee centers across France.
Refugees refuse to go because of their hopes to get to Britain and this resulted to some clashes with police over the weekend. Complete demolition of the camp is expected to take place on Tuesday.
Officials gave the refugees 2 options; seek asylum in France or return to their country of origin.
An estimated 1,300 unaccompanied children from the camp has been permitted to enter Britain.
Migrants are being placed in groups to separate the ones with families and those who are traveling alone.
After they process the refugees, they will be placed on 450 centers in various parts of France and will be given the opportunity to claim asylum. On the other hand, those who refuse could face deportation.
There are approximately 7,500 beds available in refugee centers across France. Officials have predicted that 2,500 people will leave the Calais camp on Monday.
The French interior ministry, “does not want to use force but if there are migrants who refuse to leave, or NGOs who cause trouble, the police might be forced to intervene.”
British activists from the No Borders group have traveled to the Jungle to try to disrupt the demolition process.
An Afghan refugee at the camp told AFP news agency, “They’ll have to force us to leave. We want to go to Britain.”
However, a Sudan migrant said, “I feel very happy. I’ve had enough of the Jungle.”
Refugees from Africa and the Middle-East have recently attempted to board Lorries bound for Britain. Consequently, clashes with drivers and police have occurred.
Migrants’ Haven
Migrants have been wanting to enter Britain in the hopes of finding work and asylum. Moreover, quite a number of them want to enter incognito and remain as illegal workers.
Most of these people speak English and do not know any other European language. Furthermore, some have relatives living in the UK.
Commentators believe illegal migrants see Britain as a “soft touch” for benefits and a better place to find “black economy” jobs.
The UK funded a £1.9m wall 1k long built along the main road to the port, to avoid refugees illegally riding Lorries. The wall construction started last month, which is due to finish by the end of this year.
Calais Jungle
Concerns arose in the EU as migrant’s numbers rise. Last year more than one million have entered Europe.
In March, EU and Turkey struck a deal to stop refugees crossing from Greece, while Balkan nations closed their borders to them. As a result, the number of migrants entering Europe using the so-called Mediterranean route have decreased.
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