99% of Displaced Children in Calais Area Are Unaccompanied;

Dear [name of MP],

My name is [INSERT] and as a member of your constituency, I am writing to inform you of my concern about the situation that is continuing to unfold in Northern France around the area formerly known as the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp. Local charities estimate that 400 refugees and displaced people continue to reside in this area in perilous conditions, nearly half of whom are estimated to be minors. While I was happy to hear that an additional 130 children will be transferred safely under the ‘Dubs scheme’ I am concerned that hundreds of other children will remain stranded in Calais where a serious child protection failure is taking place.

In an empirical study conducted by the UK-registered charity Refugee Rights Data Project in early April 2017, it was found that displaced adults and unaccompanied minors in Calais area are facing inhumane conditions and numerous challenges, as they lack appropriate shelter (or any shelter at all in most cases), suffer from various health problems, frequently have their belongings taken, are constantly moved from their sleeping spots, and experience police violence and verbal abuse. Most strikingly it was found that:

·  99% of displaced children in Calais area are unaccompanied;

·  56% of them previously lived in the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp;

·  43% said they have family members in Europe – 91% out of whom said they have family members in the UK;

·  89% want to go to the UK, primarily because they have family and friends there;

·  37% of the children interviewed said they have family in the UK, suggesting they may be eligible for reunification under the Dublin regulation;

·  97% have experienced police violence in France, including tear gas, physical abuse and verbal abuse;

·  92% have been told to move by French police while they were sleeping – with just 15% being informed where they could sleep instead – 77% described the incident as ‘violent’;

·  95% don’t have access to information about asylum law or immigration rules.

I know that during this election period, the issues of migration and borders will be important ones. This report shows that the need for courage and leadership on the topic of vulnerable child refugees in Europe is needed now more than ever. I strongly urge you and your party to work proactively to address this situation.

As you approach this election I ask you to speak out on this topic. There are large numbers of us here in the UK who support this cause amongst the tens of thousands who have gone to volunteer across France and Europe and donated time, money, materials and energy to this cause.

In short, the research findings in RRDP’s report highlight the sheer extent of the child protection failure currently taking place on the UK's doorstep. Many of these vulnerable children could have been granted protection in the UK under the ‘Dubs’ scheme, or through family reunification under the Dublin regulation.

Therefore, as a member of your constituency, and a resident of the UK, I urge you to take any action you can on this topic. This is important to me because [INSERT PERSONAL MESSAGE].

Many thanks for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
[INSERT YOUR NAME]