French police begin evacuating refugee camp on Paris outskirts
French police have begun clearing out refugee camps on the outskirts of Paris, a day after the government announced new immigration policies. According to news reports, police have removed 1,600 people from tents during the operation.
French police forces began the operation to clear illegal camps on the outskirts of Paris on Thursday, November 7. One of the camps was located north of the French capital and the other in the Saint-Denis area, on the outskirts of Paris.
According to news media reports, police officers removed more than 1,600 people who were living in deplorable conditions in illegal tents.
France Info reported that refugees and asylum seekers were being transported by bus to large sports halls, which are being used as emergency shelters.
Dominique Versini, deputy mayor of Paris, said hundreds of refugees had gone into hiding before the operation began because they did not want to be transferred to official accommodation. It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of those in the camps are those whose asylum applications have been approved but who cannot find housing.
This is the 59th French police operation to clear illegal camps since 2015.
After the evacuation and demolition of a camp in Calais in 2016, many refugees have made their way to Paris. As a result, the number of illegal camps on the northern outskirts of the French capital has increased in recent years. These camps are home to thousands of people.
The Paris police have been clearing out these camps, but soon the refugees have set up their tents elsewhere, creating a new camp. Most of the people living in these camps are men, with a number of women and children.
On Wednesday, November 6, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced that all illegal camps would be evacuated and dismantled by the end of this year. The French government also announced that it would take stricter measures regarding its immigration policies.
Source: DW
