Six Iranian Refugees Sew Their Lips Shut in Protest Against French Police
Six Iranian refugees sewed their lips shut on Wednesday, March 3rd, in protest against the widespread evacuation and demolition of a migrant camp in northern France, demonstrating their dire situation.
According to the Associated Press news agency, this unusual form of protest occurred on the third day of French police operations to collect the belongings and tents of refugees in the Calais camp. Thousands of residents of this camp are seeking ways to secretly enter Britain through the English Channel.
Some camp residents attempted to prevent the destruction of their shelters by climbing onto the roofs of their makeshift structures, while others set their accommodations on fire.
The protesting Iranians were holding placards requesting that a United Nations representative visit the camp.
Claire Moseley, from the British volunteer group “Care4Calais,” stated that this protest was “a cry for help because refugees do not know what they should do from here on.”
A French court ruled last month that the demolition of the large southern section of the camp was legal, but public facilities such as places of worship should remain intact.
An official told reporters on Wednesday that the camp demolition operation would take one month. According to official estimates, between 800 and 1,000 people live in the section being demolished, but humanitarian organizations estimate this number at 3,000 people.
The French government has offered refugees the option of residing in remaining containers or being sent to temporary centers from which they can apply for asylum in France.
