Shadow International Development Secretary Diane Abbott MP will be joining Stand up to Racism campaigners in a visit to the refugee camp in Calais on Saturday 23 January 2016.
The visit follows attempts by the French authorities to dismantle the camp and move refugees into shipping containers. This is being met with some resistance from refugees in the camp because of prison like conditions in this accommodation, the lack of communal facilities and there is not enough shelter to accommodate the refugees currently in the camp.
Ms Abbott will be meeting with representatives from agencies including UNHCR.
She said: ‘The crisis on Britain’s doorstep is getting ever-more desperate. The lack of political will over Calais has seen thousands stuck in its dehumanising camp limbo for far too long. We not only have a clear moral obligation to work towards an effective, compassionate and sustainable solution – it is also in our own interests to do so.’
Sabby Dhalu Stand up to Racism organiser said:
“Refugees in Calais should be allowed to seek asylum in Britain – a fundamental human right enshrined in the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees that Britain signed up to. Several months have passed and thousands of people are stuck outdoors in freezing temperatures. Many of them have family in Britain and contrary to David Cameron’s scaremongering have good English language skills – hence the need to come to Britain. We must end this humanitarian catastrophe and allow refugees in Calais to seek asylum in Britain.”
Weyman Bennett Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary said:
“Refugees are drowning in seas, if they have survived they have been left to rot in camps not fit for humans. Islamophobia and racism is being used by David Cameron to deny people entry. We stand with people fleeing for their lives and should welcome refugees and migrants.”