Introduction:
The research findings outlined in this report follow on from Refugee Rights Europe’s study relating to the situation in Paris in January 2017. One year on from the pilot study, the situation remains critical for refugees and displaced people sleeping on the streets of Paris. Despite promises from President Macron to get refugees “off the streets, out of the woods” by the end of 2017 and the continued eviction of makeshift settlements in Paris, Refugee Rights Europe’s research shows that a large number are still sleeping on the streets of the city.
Organisations on the ground are working tirelessly to provide basic humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced people, including food and clothing. However, it appears that the state response continues to leave vulnerable individuals in inhumane and substandard conditions, facing freezing temperatures, inadequate shelter and a striking lack of access to information on European asylum law and immigration rules.
Moreover, the research indicates that police violence continues to be an issue for displaced people in the area, with refugees subject to tear gas on a regular basis and forced to move from where they are sleeping, without being given an alternative.
The situation is particularly critical in light of the number of unaccompanied minors still living on the streets of Paris. Minors reported being refused appropriate and transparent age assessments, while many who had been deemed underage remain on the streets due to a lack of accommodation. Such information was corroborated by aid organisations operating in Paris.
The lack of accommodation for displaced people, including many unaccompanied minors, remains particularly concerning in light of Macron’s recent proposals, due to be put forward as part of a new migration and asylum bill in February. Currently, the bill contains a number of proposals designed to ‘toughen’ migration law and accelerate deportations. It is also alarming that, in December 2017, the French interior minister Gerard Collomb authorised regional authorities to conduct ID checks in emergency accommodation centres - a move that aid organisations are concerned is likely to increase destitution amongst the displaced population who may be afraid to take up available accommodation.
In order to further investigate the situation facing refugees and displaced people in the area, Refugee Rights Europe conducted research in Paris between 27 and 30 January 2018. The study is based on a survey of 283 individuals in their native languages, or approximately 10% of the estimated 2950 refugees and displaced people thought to be sleeping rough in the streets of Paris at the time of the study. Among those interviewed were 58 children – or 5.8% of the research sample. As a result, this is one of the largest independent studies to be conducted with refugees and displaced people on the streets of Paris.
