MOSCOW (Sputnik), Yulia Shamporova – About 50 to 60 migrants per week in the Calais camp in France ask for asylum because the French government encourages them to apply, Pas-de-Calais Prefecture spokesman told Sputnik Wednesday.
“We really encourage migrants to demand the asylum if they want. If they do so, we welcome them in France, not only in Pas-de-Calais, but everywhere in the country… So every week we have from 50 to 60 immigrants who officially ask for asylum in France,” the spokesman said.
A Pas-de-Calais Prefecture spokesman emphasized that undocumented migrants come to Calais in order to get to the United Kingdom because they want to escape political and military conflicts in their home countries. Calais port security prevents migrants from continuing to Britain without the correct visas, and, as an option, camp occupants are invited to apply for asylum in France.
“After asking for asylum those people have the right to have […] accommodation everywhere in France,” the spokesman said.
In 2013, France received 66,000 requests for asylum, of which authorities granted fewer than 12,000, according to media reports. 15,000 people are said to be on a waiting list. The average wait period to have a case considered is 12 months, according to Human Rights Watch.
"@RTenfrancais: Les #autorités de #Calais s’apprêtent à détruire les camps de #migrants http://t.co/n5Ycod1u1A pic.twitter.com/ieGvXVCkgy"
— Ange.soso (@templedange) 27 Март 2015
In January, France opened a new $4.5 Jules Ferry camp in Calais, which became the first institution in the city to provide shelter for migrants since the closure of the Sangatte refugee camp in 2002. Before that, undocumented migrants had been living in makeshift camps.
