Newly released video shows Calais police ‘kicking, pushing and using pepper-spray’ on migrants as they attempt to enter UK
France's top human rights ombudsman Jacques Toubon said that he would “investigate" the footage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.French police are being investigated after a video was released purporting to show officers in Calais using violence against migrants as they attempted to board lorries headed for the UK.
The country’s human rights ombudsman Jacques Toubon said that he would “investigate" the footage that emerged allegedly showing Calais police kicking, pushing and allegedly using pepper spray on migrants thought to be from Africa and the Middle East.
In the two-minute clip released by migrant support group Calais Migrant Solidarity, the officers appear to apprehend the migrants as a large group of them attempt to break into the lorries as they wait for entry into the port in Calais.
One officer man is seen pushing a migrant over the road’s guard rail, while another is filmed appearing to threaten the group of migrants with a baton.
In other videos taken by Calais Migrant Solidarity on the same day, police are apparently filmed harassing and acting violently towards other migrants.
The majority of migrants are thought to be from Africa and the Middle East and are in Calais waiting to enter the UK.
According to French authorities, the numbers of migrants in Calais have soared over the last 12 months as a result of conflicts in countries like Sudan, Eritrea and Syria.
There are believed to be 2,400 migrants currently staying in Calais.
This growth in migrant numbers has led to an increase in reports of violence and abuse by the police.
A report by Human Rights Watch in January, reported that 44 migrants had witnessed violence by the police.
The report was later dismissed as “bias” by France’s interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve.
Following the release of the latest footage, prosecutor Jean-Pierre Valensi of Boulogne-sur-Mer near Calais called on the police’s inspection body to review the footage.
He said if any of the offending officers were found guilty, they could be “liable to be classed as criminals.”
France’s national police headquarters said an inquiry into the allegations of police violence was under way.
“Hundreds and hundreds of migrants stormed the lorries.
“When three police officers open a lorry and find five migrants inside who don’t want to leave, how do you want to get them out?”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments