The French are not being communautaire

This will not surprise anyone: no matter how many pronouncements are made about being communautaire (loyal to the concept of European integration), no matter how many agreements are signed about common immigration and asylum policies, there will always be countries that will think of their own interests first. Not that UKIP objects to that but certain problems arise when those interests mean that Britain is hard done by.

Over and above that there is the question of the European Court of Human Rights (not an EU institution but the court of the Council of Europe) whose aim appears to be to undermine any notion of democratic accountability and the rule of law.

All this is illustrated by the story in today's Daily Express about the illegal migrants' camp that had been closed down by the French authorities only to be reopened by certain French charities (who clearly do not believe that charity begins at home) as a kind of VIP departure lounge for people who think they might quite like to live in Britain but fear that they would not be allowed in legitimately.

French charities have helped to create a virtual “departure lounge” for illegal immigrants heading across the Channel, offering them rest and recreation before they complete the final leg of their journeys.

Our investigators gained access to the illegal “Sangatte II” centre and exclusive photographs show it bears a closer resemblance to a holiday camp than a shelter for the homeless.
One observer said: “They are being treated like VIPs.”

The converted warehouse, just a short walk from the town’s port, offers migrants a range of amenities, from relaxation rooms with a piano, a cinema and sports hall for indoor games like table tennis and football to even a makeshift disco for dancing.

The centre – which bears a huge “Welcome To All” banner – was officially closed down 12 days ago by riot police after Calais authorities deemed it unfit for public use.

And last night the CRS riot squads returned – forcing the migrants and activists out using batons and shields. But it is expected they will just move back in.

The charities SOS and the No Borders Network got round prohibition by opening it as a private space for members, declaring: “All migrants and activists inside the hangar have official membership.”

The organisers have also painted the text from Article 1 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights on a sign warning that any attempt to close it down could face a challenge in the courts.

Politicians and campaigners were furious at the latest failure by the French to tackle the problem of illegal migrants using Calais as a jumping off point for Britain.

There is, apparently, no question of the organizers offering their own homes to these migrants and activists.

Express journalists asked for comments and UKIP was the first organization they turned to:

Lord Pearson, UKIP leader, said: “This is a classic case of European Human Rights legislation being used in a way that goes contrary to common sense justice.

“No migrant moves to Calais for the beaches, they are there purely and simply to enter the UK, in most cases illegally. The half-cock approach of the French authorities will merely result in ever-increasing numbers of people suffering awful conditions, and these charities, while attempting to make things better for some, merely encourage more problems for many.”

They also interviewed some of the migrants, few of whom did themselves any good by announcing that they obviously had a perfect right to move to England but needed various things before they can manage to do so.