What Can Realistically Be Done About The Calais Migrant Camp?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37217192
Cooperation is better than bickering but how can us and the French resolve this issue?

[Zacs-Master]

Not a massive fan of Yvette Cooper but she speaks a bit of sense here:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/07/calais-french-migrant-camps-refugee-crisis


"Last time it took a proper deal between France and Britain to sort Sangatte. It included bringing in the UN to do asylum assessments, immigration enforcement, improved joint security and a managed programme for refugees where many were supported in France but Afghan refugee families with British relatives could apply for sanctuary in Britain. The result was a massive drop in illegal immigration and years without major difficulties until the recent refugee crisis began"

[agchristie]

Pity Owen Smith isn't a Tory.He would just get the relevant parties round the table and pop the kettle on for a nice easy chat...

[THEMOTLEY1]

The French have brought it upon themselves, firstly by allowing these migrants into their Country and then allowing the camp to develop into what has now become a major problem. Apart from controlling the UK Border it should not become our problem.

[New Judge]

“Last time it took a proper deal between France and Britain to sort Sangatte.”

The only thing closing Sangatte achieved was the redistribution of illegal immigrants currently there and the attraction to the area (which has become “The Jungle”) of thousands more to take their place.

This is not a problem for the UK to tackle, We have no part to play. The problem has arisen because the French have allowed vast numbers of migrants to enter their country (courtesy of the Schengen Agreement). Those people are no longer asylum seekers (they lost that status when they failed to apply for asylum in their first safe country) and are now simply illegal immigrants. They have no right to travelto and apply for asylum in the UK. It is simply their destination of choice – a choice that they do not have. They do not wish to apply for asylum in France but are in no danger there so cannot realistically flee elsewhere in the back of a lorry.

If the French are prepared to put up with them ruining an entire district of their country that is their affair. Any measures they take must involve making it abundantly clear that reaching the UK is not an option for them. If they want to remain where they are (and the French allow it) then so be it. But any moves to make it easier for them to reach the UK would simply attract thousands, if not tens of thousands more to the area to chance their arm.

This problem is one principally for the Schengen nations. Their stupid agreement, together with a complete lack of control over external borders have led to millions of illegal migrants roaming all over the continent. There is no reason why nations who had the good sense to stay out of that ridiculous exercise in political dogma should be compelled to cure the problems it caused. The EU needs to sort this problem out and since in the not too distant the UK will no longer be part of that wretched organisation they can get on with it.

[ToraToraTora]

"This problem is one principally for the Schengen nations. Their stupid agreement, together with a complete lack of control over external borders have led to millions of illegal migrants roaming all over the continent. There is no reason why nations who had the good sense to stay out of that ridiculous exercise in political dogma should be compelled to cure the problems it caused. The EU needs to sort this problem out and since in the not too distant the UK will no longer be part of that wretched organisation they can get on with it. " - bang on judge, shame the fools cannot see it.

[Old_Geezer]

We can't realistically do much here.

France has a bunch or chancers camping on their northern border who have no legal ability to get into the UK. One would have thought the French authorities would not want that, and would ensure they are continually moved on: preferably southward.

Perhaps the French could find them jobs elsewhere in the country where they could at least make a contribution to the society they are in. Or perhaps suggest they may be happier in the country where they first entered the EU, or even Germany ?

[ichkeria]

One point that needs making is that citizens of South Sudan and Eritrea have the right to refugee status in France, so it is not as simple as 'the French should not let them in'

[Old_Geezer]

But if they let them in, then it's their responsibility.

[ichkeria]

Yes it is. Although I understand the argument of course that says that if the migrants want to come to Britain then Britain does have some responsibility : it's a responsibility which the UK does acknowledge though as a lot of money goes to helping on the Ftench side
The current agreement is unlikely to change: but of course that doesn't solve the issue of that to do with the 'Jungle' as it is

[TWR]

I see these Jungle people like the back of HGV Trailers, get a Ferry then ship the lot back to where they come from, I'm prepared to take the Flac over my comment but where is this issue going to stop, are we just going to say, poor souls send them to the UK we will help them, there's people in this country that need help, charity starts at home I was told.

[Old_Geezer]

I was not aware we had any responsibility, and thought any aid we offered was neighbourly gestures to help maintain relationships.

[EcclesCake]

Given the sanctimonious and smug posts, I am stunned at the comments made.

[TWR]

Have you got a big house 19.35 post?

[anneasquith]

"" ship them back to where they came from""", this is an off response re the situation in Calais, just how/who/when/ where is this doable ?

[jourdain2]

I don't see that any of the people in 'The Jungle' have anything to do with us;
I understand that they wanted to escape war zones but they have no right to expect to come to live in UK. As soon as they are out of the war zones and are safe then they should set up camp and wait for peace until they can return. The fact that EU countries have let them flow through is not our fault.
I suggest a purge, an assault on I.D. by combined French and UK people and immediate deportation for any non-compliant papers.

[New Judge]

"One point that needs making is that citizens of South Sudan and Eritrea have the right to refugee status in France,"

Help me with that one, ichy. Not something I'm familiar with.

[Quizmonster]

The French and the French alone are responsible for the situation in Calais, as NJ says. The French allowed the immigrants into their country and the fact that they wish to come on to the UK is irrelevant. They are in a 'safe' country now, if lack of safety at home was the reason they came to Europe. There they must stay until France or the EU as a whole resolve the problem.
The UK must, of course, ensure that carriers which allow people with no appropriate 'papers' to board their trains, ferries or aircraft are suitably dealt with.
By the way, I have every sympathy with refugees, but threats by France are simply unacceptable.

[ichkeria]

I agree that threats are unacceptable, but they are based on the notion that the border starts on the other side of the channel - for both countries . The original agreement was signed when no one had any idea what was going to happen, tho actually it works in favour of both countries. Britain pays a lot of money to help with the management on the French side. its called working in partnership, and is generally better than lobbing accusations of blame st each other. Longer term, the people trafficking needs to be clamped down on even harder, but it's hard to know how you can really stop people who are desperate wanting to come to Europe. Eritrea is not the worst country in the world for example, but it seems their conscription policy, probably based on paranoia about Ethiopia, drives people away

[Khandro]

They should be moved from Calais, they are a nightmare for the residents and disruptive of travellers and goods drivers. They could be moved to another part of France or out of France altogether and yet remain in France and the EU. Not a lot of people know that France currently has five overseas departments (French: département d’outre-mer), which are departments (territorial divisions) that are outside the European part of the country. All are officially part of France, with the same political status as the departments in Europe; and are therefore different to overseas territories. They are also part of the European Union and use the Euro as currency. I have only just discovered this, and two of them Mayotte and Reunion are in Africa, the other 3 are, French Guiana, Guadaloupe and Martinique.

[TWR]

Another part of France Khandro, that would be against their H.R. do you not think? then it's further for them to jump in the backs of Lorries to get across the water, the further they are from France the better.