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Representatives of the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) found serious flaws in legal procedure and child protection during the demolition of the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais.
The BHRC chairwoman, Kirsty Brimelow QC, and Jelia Sane, a barrister from Doughty Street Chambers, went to Calais as legal observers to monitor the situation after the French authorities began to disperse the estimated 10,000 residents of the camp.
Days after the clearance began, it was reported that at least 1,500 unaccompanied minors remained in Calais, many sleeping rough because the special container camp for the young or vulnerable was full.
The BHRC said the dispersal process was ‘unfair, opaque and an affront to human dignity’ and reported breaches of child rights law by the UK and French governments, who blamed each other for the delays.
Brimelow said: ‘It was entirely predictable that demolishing the camp prior to accommodating the children within it would lead to children sleeping rough in cold conditions, vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation.’
She said the system was hampered by a lack of information given to those in the camp and ‘fundamental disregard for due process of appeals’ compounded by the refusal to allow lawyers to enter and provide advice.
The BHRC will publish a full report on the situation shortly.
Representatives of the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) found serious flaws in legal procedure and child protection during the demolition of the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais.
The BHRC chairwoman, Kirsty Brimelow QC, and Jelia Sane, a barrister from Doughty Street Chambers, went to Calais as legal observers to monitor the situation after the French authorities began to disperse the estimated 10,000 residents of the camp.
Days after the clearance began, it was reported that at least 1,500 unaccompanied minors remained in Calais, many sleeping rough because the special container camp for the young or vulnerable was full.
The BHRC said the dispersal process was ‘unfair, opaque and an affront to human dignity’ and reported breaches of child rights law by the UK and French governments, who blamed each other for the delays.
Brimelow said: ‘It was entirely predictable that demolishing the camp prior to accommodating the children within it would lead to children sleeping rough in cold conditions, vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation.’
She said the system was hampered by a lack of information given to those in the camp and ‘fundamental disregard for due process of appeals’ compounded by the refusal to allow lawyers to enter and provide advice.
The BHRC will publish a full report on the situation shortly.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
