What little coverage main stream media has provided would lead you to believe that the Jungle camp in Calais France is demolished and the refugees moves safely to other locations where their paperwork can be processed more quickly.
The camp is not emptied. About 1,500 unaccompanied youth ages 10-17 were left behind, placed in containers while their future is determined by feuding government ministers in England and France. Each country wants the other to take responsibility for more of the youth, and because they are not able to come to agreement, the youth are caught in the middle of the struggle. Conditions are very poor.
- Water has been turned off to the container site.
- Rain has turned the campsite into a swamp
- Large construction vehicles are still demolishing the camp while unattended youth are free to ride their bikes in and around the machines. Anyone who has raised young children-especially boys-know that is an irresistible temptation and a disaster waiting to happen.
- Charities are trying to feed the youth but are hampered by the lack of on-site facilities and very limited access due to the limited number of passes issued by the Prefecture of Calais.
- Human rights attorneys are denied access because the limited number of passes were offered to charities and journalists only.
Each country has responsibilities as signatories to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, and neither country is living up to those most basic responsibilities.
Francois Hollande said that the youth would be moved to more suitable conditions soon, but they have been sleeping, some outdoors, since last Wednesday.
Brother Johannes reports that at least two youth he is aware of have attempted suicide over the weekend.
These children have suffered war in their home nations, grueling, dangerous travel to Calais and are now abandoned in a desolate area with no services. Is this the way civilized nations treat young persons?
Do we want to encourage terrorism, or do we want to meet the needs of these young people so they can re-start their lives in relative peace?