a British activist for the cause of migrants expelled from France
Volunteer in several associations, a young Englishman of 22 years was the subject of an obligation to leave the territory, Tuesday, March 8. A prefectural decision justified by a “defect” of postal address while the person concerned evokes a measure relating to his “political commitments”.
For two years, Atlas (assumed name) lived in Calais and campaigned for the cause of migrants in various associations. Of English nationality, the 22-year-old young man had, with Brexit, a residence permit valid for five years. He lived, since February, in a squat which he won to open to accommodate people without papers. But later, his administrative home was in the premises of the Auberge des migrants association, where he received his letters, in particular those from the Prefecture.
On March 3, 2022, a letter from the Prefect was sent to him, but Atlas said he never received it. As a result, five days later, on March 8, the young British national was subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). Car, according to the Prefecture, “it is up to the person concerned to take the necessary precautions to receive his mail” under penalty of him “retired residence permit”.
After receiving an OQTF, the person concerned has 30 days to leave the country, before entering illegality. Or, this letter, also sent by mail, the young activist says he never received either. It was during a police check, more than a month and a half later, on April 29, that he learned that he was subject to this expulsion measure. He tells : “It was evening, I was in a van with a friend and a police car followed us for a long time. They ended up stopping us to check our papers and at that moment they took me on board, telling me that I could no longer stay in France.
Why order me to leave the territory for a letter not received? It’s been two years since I received all my mail at this address, not this one. No one even tried to reach me by phone or email.
Atlas, British activist committed to migrants
Atlas was then sent to the border police at Coquelles, near Calais. He remains in detention there for 15 hours. This is where he is finally told that he is the subject of an OQTF. “I was shocked, Atlas report. Why order me to leave the territory for a letter not received? It’s been two years since I received all my mail at this address, not this one. No one even tried to reach me by phone or email.
After his stay in detention, Atlas was placed in the Lille-Lesquin administrative detention center (CRA). It’s a Friday night. He stays there until Sunday morning. “These are the worst days of my life!” reports Atlas. There, we are less than nothing. On Sunday, the judge of freedoms and detention held his detention for 48 hours. On Monday, May 2, Atlas goes before the Douai Court of Appeal which decides to release him but I assign him to residence at the Reception and Examination Center (CAES) in Arques, near Saint-Omer, with obligation to report to the Saint-Omer police station three times a week.
On the verge of being expelled from France, Atlas decided to leave on his own, Tuesday, May 10. He remains under a ban on returning to French territory, for a period of one year, renewable.
According to him, this prefectural measure comes to sanction his militant commitments. Atlas is notably behind the opening of the squat on rue Frédéric Sauvage, in Calais. An abandoned house, refurbished and transformed into a living and sheltering place for people in exile. “They expelled me because they do not agree with my ideas and political commitments”, he believes. Pierre Roques, coordinator of the Auberge des Migrants, agrees: “Obviously it’s related.” “Volunteers are regularly harassed and this OQTF is a new tool in an ever-expanding repressive arsenal.
From England, Atlas continues to fight. He carried out several procedures with his lawyer; against his OQTF and the withdrawal of his residence permit, against his ban on returning to French territory and to denounce his house arrest. He knows that the legal time will be long but he is ready to return to Calais if he wins his legal battles.
I won’t let go, I’m ready to go all the way. As far as the Council of State and the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.
Atlas, British activist committed to migrants
“I have a thousand times more desire to defend my cause now, he says today. My only offense is to have wanted to help people and to have renovated an abandoned house to house people on the street. I won’t let go, I’m ready to go all the way. As far as the Council of State and the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. Atlas explains that he is also fighting for the other British activists present in Calais. “If they did this to me, they will do it to others. I have no right to let go. Moreover, one of his English friends with whom he opened the squat is also the subject of an OQTF.