France evacuates homeless migrants, 11 taken to detention centers

PARIS

Some 670 of more than 1,200 homeless people, mainly migrants, were transferred outside the Paris region over the weekend and 11 were taken to detention centers, several associations said Tuesday.

According to a statement by Collectif Requisitions, which brings together several associations helping immigrants, 1,204 people who set up tents in a park in Ile-de-France were evacuated Saturday after staying there for three nights.

While nearly 540 people were accommodated in Ile-de-France, 670 were subject to "forced displacement" outside the region, particularly in Besancon, Dijon, Rennes, Strasbourg, Sarrebourg, Rouen, Lille and Metz, the statement said, citing testimonies.

Neither the associations of the Collectif Requisitions nor the homeless people were informed beforehand, it stressed, adding they were taken far from their home, places of work and children's schools.

"The state lied by omission about the destination of the people transported and should have asked for their consent beforehand," it added.

Those who did not have documents were asked to leave France, and at least 11 people were taken to detention centers, according to the statement.

PARIS

Some 670 of more than 1,200 homeless people, mainly migrants, were transferred outside the Paris region over the weekend and 11 were taken to detention centers, several associations said Tuesday.

"The state lied by omission about the destination of the people transported and should have asked for their consent beforehand," it added.

Those who did not have documents were asked to leave France, and at least 11 people were taken to detention centers, according to the statement.