We can't find peace in Europe
Reported on 31.08.2020
“We’re in Europe, facing a difficult life. All of this, to live in dignity. But we can find peace in Europe. We risk our lives to reach Europe, because our country is under conflict and war. We couldn't find peace in our country as well, that is why we emigrated to Europe.
"We thought: maybe could we find peace in Europe? But we didn’t see any of this! We’re facing the biggest war in Europe, racism, fascism, our country is at war, and Europe is at fascist war. We’ve never thought that one day we’d arrive in Europe and face that situation. We are immigrants, we live in France, in Calais region, France didn’t accept us, that is why we try to get into England. All of this for a better future. I wish and hope you can help me in this situation.”
Police chase in Grande-Synthe
Reported on 30.07.2020
“On the night of July 30, I was chased by the police with several friends along a road. While running away, I fell on a fence that seriously injured my face (several stitches). Out of fear, I stayed hidden in the ditch for a long time. I saw one of my friends being caught and taken away by the police.”
Police violence against two people living in Grande Synthe
Reported on: 19.07.2020
“[On 11 July at 2am] My friend and I were brutalised by the police. I had a broken tooth. They also unleashed their dogs, whom attacked us without a muzzle.”
Destruction of tents in Grande-Synthe
Reported on 19.07.2020
“[On 16 July] four policemen came back to see us, they destroyed our tent. They were carrying a document, but we couldn’t understand why they did that.”
Police violence in Grande-Synthe
Reported on 19.07.2020
“[On 16 July] four officers of the national police came to wake us up kicking our tents, ridiculing us and calling us children.”
(Translated from Persian)
Arrest in Calais
Reported on 01.07.2020
Were you in the jungle this morning ?
“Yes, I was in the jungle [this morning] and the police arrested me for no reason and I am heartbroken, [...] I feel bad for this situation because we live in the jungle, we live in dirty places but sometimes the police bother us for no reason so I am very hurt by this bad thing.”
When they arrested you, did they explain why did they arrest you ?
“They didn't tell me why, but they told us "you have no documents". A lot of people in the jungle don't have documents, that's why we were arrested today for no reason. A lot of people are undocumented in the jungle, and a lot of people are homeless, a lot of people are unemployed, but we have to go to the UK, so sometimes that's what happens: the police bother us ... it's a very, very bad thing for us, you know? So I feel bad. We need rights for refugees and [migrants] from Calais.”