News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Calais-jungle-main_article_image.jpg
Philip Toscano/PA Wire
UK News

Christians make fresh plea for Calais migrant children

by Aaron James

Lord Williams signed an open letter to Theresa May alongside the Right Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, the Right Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, the Right Rev Peter Hill, Bishop of Barking, the Right Rev Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney and the Right Rev Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark.

Other signatories to the letter include Muslim Council of Britain secretary general Harun Rashid Khan and Laura Janner-Klausner, the senior rabbi to the Movement of Reform Judaism.

September also saw more than 200 Christian, Muslim and Jewish clerics, alongside lead representatives of other faiths, sign an open letter urging Mrs May to unblock rules preventing refugee families being reunited in the UK.

The French president Francois Hollande has said the 'Jungle' migrant camp would close before winter, with its 9,000 inhabitants dispersed around the country.

Philip Toscano/PA Wire

The letter says the migrant children "have fled conflict and persecution, are now stuck in Northern France, deeply traumatised and at great risk as well documented by the anti-slavery commissioner you yourself appointed while Home Secretary".

It adds: "We are now just days away from the start of the full demolition of the Calais camp.

"None of us want the Calais 'Jungle' to exist. It is a stain on the conscience of both France and Britain.

"But in haste to clear it the need to protect children is even more paramount. During the last such demolition the charity Help Refugees documented that 129 children went missing.

"The time to act is now."

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The clearance of the camp in Calais is a matter for the French authorities, who also have primary responsibility for unaccompanied children in France.

"The UK government has no jurisdiction to operate on French territory and can only contribute in ways agreed with the French authorities and in compliance with French and EU law.

"The UK has made crystal clear its commitment to resettle vulnerable children under the Immigration Act and ensure those with links to the UK are brought here using the Dublin Regulation.

"We are working continue to work with the French government and partner organisations to speed up mechanisms to identify, assess and transfer unaccompanied refugee children to the UK, where this is in their best interests."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate