French Court Upholds Gov’t Decision to Close Calais Refugee Camp

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – An administrative tribunal in the French city of Lille rejected on Tuesday the motion filed by a group of 11 associations to block the imminent closure of the so called Jungle migrant camp in Calais where thousands of refugees are residing in appalling conditions, according to a statement published by the French Interior Ministry on Tuesday.

"This decision strengthens the government's humanitarian approach and determination to engage in dismantling of the [Calais] camp as soon as possible and before the winter," French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Minister of Housing and sustainable Habitat Emmanuelle Cosse said in a joint statement.

Several charities initiated the legal challenge last week over concerns that the decision to close the camp was too hasty and harmful for the refugees.

Thousands of migrants from the Middle East and North Africa are living in the Calais camp, located not far from the Channel Tunnel, in hopes of reaching the United Kingdom.

The remaining part of the camp is to be closed before the end of October, after the main section was dismantled in March.