There are over 90,000 unaccompanied refugee children in Europe. The UK has resettled less than 100 of them, and those that have been safely brought to the UK, has mainly been due to the work of Citizens UK in Calais. Through our research on the ground, Citizens UK has identified that there are currently 387 unaccompanied minor children currently in Calais, eligible for relocation to the UK.
In October (before winter arrives), we are likely to see the demolition of the Calais camp and other smaller camps across Northern France, with a population in total of 12 000 people. Over 100 children were ‘lost’ last time a section of the camp was demolished. A census of the current population will be conducted to ascertain the exact groupings of the population, including those who can gain legal access to the UK via Dublin 3 and Dubs and those who can claim asylum in France/other countries. The assessment will be done by the French authorities.
We have heard the French authorities in Calais have started deporting people back to country of entry as a deterrent, i.e. get on a bus or be deported from Calais. The situation will get increasingly tense as police confront the challenge of moving thousands of frustrated people on a short timescale.
We are not yet clear what role the UK government will play in collecting people, especially children, who are eligible to be resettled in the UK under Dubs or Dublin, and who will carry out the children’s best interest assessment (BIA), the outcome of which needs to point to relocation to the UK before a child can be moved. At the moment, we do not think there is no plan to operationalise the Dubs Amendment in the camp today. This means that it is only local French authorities that will carry it out, even though they may not have the capacity to deliver it.
As a result, we will, working with French lawyers, launch a court challenge to require the French government to establish children’s centres to look after these children.
To find out how you can help by canvassing your local Councillor and MP, or registering your interest to foster a refugee child click here.
To find out about the Paddington Action Day on the 24th of October click here.
