An amateur video released by a migrants’ rights group shows a crackdown by police near the French port city of Calais. The rights’ group has
An amateur video released by a migrants’ rights group shows a crackdown by police near the French port city of Calais.
The rights’ group has condemned the police after migrants were seen being forcibly removed from trucks; some were seen being beaten and thrown over a motorway barrier.
The French human rights ombudsman has promised to investigate.
The video does not show if the police were subject to any violence and a police union official told the AFP news agency that the entire sequence of events had to be viewed.
The images were shot on May the 5th by a group called Calais Migrant Solidarity, the day after France’s interior minister visited a newly-opened migrant reception centre.
Calais is a major departure point for migrants without papers who attempt to reach the UK.
Britain has been demanding more action on the French side to stem an increase in the numbers attempting the crossing.
Many migrants live in makeshift camps in Calais.