Mobilization day at Mesnil-Amelot. This Thursday, dozens of people demonstrated in front of the Administrative Retention Center (CRA) of this commune of Seine-et-Marne at the call of Cimade, the association for aid to refugees and migrants.
A mobilization which follows the withdrawal of its teams, decided on February 2 by the largest CRA in France. “It’s a reaction to the too many manifest violations of people’s rights”, explains to 20 minutesLouise Lecaudey, regional manager of Cimade at the Mesnil Amelot CRA.
“A rampant increase in illegal evictions”
Initially present in the center to provide legal aid to detainees, the association wants to point out the dysfunctions of the administration which penalizes immigrants from the CRA. “There is a rampant increase in illegal evictions. Already eight people have been expelled since the beginning of the year, even though appeals have been filed. »
Immigrants cannot legally be deported if they have applied for asylum or have lodged an automatic appeal with suspensive effect before the administrative jurisdiction. However, according to the Cimade, in addition to the cases mentioned above, others, in particular “protected by law against the pronouncement of a measure of removal because of their family ties” are concerned by these measures of expulsion.
The association also denounces attempts at deportation to countries at risk, the placement in detention of victims of domestic violence and people in regular situations.
Management of people in need of problematic care
Added to this is the management of people with health problems, particularly psychiatric, more and more of them being locked up in the CRA. “Many need care, especially people who have psychiatric disorders and represent a danger to themselves and to others. They should be hospitalized rather than locked up,” adds Louise Lecaudey who also cites cases of people with discernment disorders that prevent them from asserting their rights.
“A 58-year-old woman was placed in solitary confinement for almost a month when she was unable to eat, in conditions that violate her dignity. She was urinating and defecating on it. But she received no treatment. It was her fellow prisoners who had to wash her. »
An isolation which the administration abuses according to Cimade, using pretexts such as “disturbing public order” for simple reports or police custody, often “unjustified, simply because of their situation”.
Obsession with numbers and the bill
“The CRA has become a lawless zone. The prefecture does what it wants, in defiance of the law and its duties, vituperates the head of Cimade, the government and the ministry have an obsession with figures which makes the OQTFs (Obligations to leave French territory – NDLR) multiply. ). »
Thus the association calls on the government to “remind the prefecture and the management of the CRA” of the law and the rights of detainees. A mobilization that echoes the announcement by Gérald Darmanin, who declared himself “in favor” of amendments which would allow him to limit family reunification in his asylum and immigration bill.
Contacted by 20 Minutesthe Ministry of the Interior and the Prefecture have not yet responded to our requests.