• The influx of Ukrainian refugees in Calais poses the problem of discrimination between migrants.

  • Migrant aid associations are calling for the same treatment for all refugees.

Discrimination between Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian refugees continues to make waves in Calais.

On Wednesday, associations called for opening up to other exiles, and in particular to those who camp in Calais in the hope of moving to England, the accommodation options set up to accommodate Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.

The Migraction 59 collective, which strives to house migrants in private homes, called in an open letter on the prefect in charge of equal opportunities in Hauts-de-France, Camille Tubiana, to “ensure that the reception of exiles does not involve any discrimination”.

“It would be scandalous to reserve places for Ukrainian exiles”

The association welcomes the mobilizations announced by many municipalities in favor of Ukrainians, adding "this is good because the hundreds of exiles that we meet in Calais are precisely people who fled the wars in Sudan, Chad, Syria, in Afghanistan”.

"It would be completely scandalous and illegal to reserve reception places for Ukrainian exiles while excluding exiles who have another ethnic or religious affiliation," continues Migraction 59.

A complaint of discrimination?

A collective of associations helping migrants in Calais, the Auberge des migrants, has meanwhile indicated that it is considering a possible complaint of discrimination.

In Calais, where more than a thousand exiles are camping in very difficult conditions trying to reach England, dozens of Ukrainians have been accommodated every evening in recent days by the town hall in a youth hostel of around 140 squares.

They were sent on Wednesday to Tourcoing (Nord) and Arras (Pas-de-Calais), said the mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, specifying that housing solutions were being sought for newcomers.

Installation of a visa application center in Lille

In the North, around 750 accommodations have been made available to Ukrainians by local authorities and the State, as well as a telephone number that can be reached 24 hours a day, the prefecture said.

London has also announced the installation in Lille of a new visa application center, which is to open its doors on Thursday.

The British Home Office stressed that it would be reserved only for certain specific files and that requests should continue to be filed as a priority in Paris or Brussels.

Society

War in Ukraine: In Calais, is there a difference between good and bad refugees?

World

War in Ukraine: France denounces the "lack of humanity" of London which turns back refugees

  • Vladimir Poutine

  • Migrants

  • War in Ukraine

  • Calais

  • World

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