Overview
- Médecins du Monde, Utopia 56, Roots, Refugee Women’s Centre, Salam and Human Rights Observers lodged an emergency référé-liberté on 18 November at the Lille administrative court.
- The groups ask the court to recognize grave violations of fundamental liberties and to compel immediate, lasting measures to protect people living on the coast.
- Roughly 2,500 people are currently living in informal camps around Mardyck, Loon-Plage and Grande-Synthe near Dunkerque, according to the local sub-prefect.
- Associations describe catastrophic conditions with scarce water, no toilets, frequent respiratory illness and shortages of food, electricity access and healthcare.
- NGOs report that police patrols are the most visible state presence near the sites as authorities work to deter Channel crossings, not to provide basic services.