*/
Representatives of the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) found serious flaws in legal procedure and child protection during the demolition of the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais.
The BHRC chairwoman, Kirsty Brimelow QC, and Jelia Sane, a barrister from Doughty Street Chambers, went to Calais as legal observers to monitor the situation after the French authorities began to disperse the estimated 10,000 residents of the camp.
Days after the clearance began, it was reported that at least 1,500 unaccompanied minors remained in Calais, many sleeping rough because the special container camp for the young or vulnerable was full.
The BHRC said the dispersal process was ‘unfair, opaque and an affront to human dignity’ and reported breaches of child rights law by the UK and French governments, who blamed each other for the delays.
Brimelow said: ‘It was entirely predictable that demolishing the camp prior to accommodating the children within it would lead to children sleeping rough in cold conditions, vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation.’
She said the system was hampered by a lack of information given to those in the camp and ‘fundamental disregard for due process of appeals’ compounded by the refusal to allow lawyers to enter and provide advice.
The BHRC will publish a full report on the situation shortly.
Representatives of the Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) found serious flaws in legal procedure and child protection during the demolition of the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais.
The BHRC chairwoman, Kirsty Brimelow QC, and Jelia Sane, a barrister from Doughty Street Chambers, went to Calais as legal observers to monitor the situation after the French authorities began to disperse the estimated 10,000 residents of the camp.
Days after the clearance began, it was reported that at least 1,500 unaccompanied minors remained in Calais, many sleeping rough because the special container camp for the young or vulnerable was full.
The BHRC said the dispersal process was ‘unfair, opaque and an affront to human dignity’ and reported breaches of child rights law by the UK and French governments, who blamed each other for the delays.
Brimelow said: ‘It was entirely predictable that demolishing the camp prior to accommodating the children within it would lead to children sleeping rough in cold conditions, vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation.’
She said the system was hampered by a lack of information given to those in the camp and ‘fundamental disregard for due process of appeals’ compounded by the refusal to allow lawyers to enter and provide advice.
The BHRC will publish a full report on the situation shortly.
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
