Citizens’ charter to counteract official hostility to migrants

A French non-governmental organisation (NGO) assisting refugees in the Calais “new jungle” is planning a Europe-wide “citizens’ response” to counteract what it calls the hostile “security-focused” response of some European politicians.

The NGO l’Auberge des Migrants International intends to initiate a citizens’ “hospitality charter” which will mobilise support in border areas for thousands fleeing conflict and human rights abuses.

The NGO says the initiative has already elicited the support of citizens' groups supporting refugees in several European countries. It says it is a "counter-action" to last week's Anglo-French agreement on increased security signed in Calais by British home secretary Theresa May and her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve.

It is estimated that between 2,000 and 5,000 Syrians, Eritreans, Sudanese, Afghans and others have reached the French port – which is between 1 per cent and 2.5 per cent of the numbers crossing the Mediterranean.

Nine people have died since June trying to reach Britain illegally from Calais, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees, which says the majority of migrants who have reached the French port are fleeing war and human rights abuses.

Gas and spray

Médecins du Monde, which works with l’Auberge des Migrants International, says it has treated many refugees for the effects of CS gas and pepper spray used by French police in Calais.

L'Auberge des Migrants International says it has been "overwhelmed" with offers of support from people across France, Britain, Belgium, Holland and Ireland and intends to publish the citizens' charter in Calais on September 19th. "We find so many English people are embarrassed by the statements of their politicians, and are coming over here to help us," Maya Konforti, one of its co-founders, explained.

Her partner, retired farm management lecturer François Guennoc outlined to this newspaper earlier this month how the group collects tents, clothes, food and materials for refugees forced to live in sand dunes.

The local prefecture supplies one hot meal a day.

Mr Guennoc said Britain should set up an asylum application centre in Calais which would discourage young men from risking their lives.

Earlier this week, Irish aid agency Goal called on the Government to double its intake of refugees, promised at 600 over two years, under the EU resettlement initiative.