The visit—described as “courtesy”—by the three visitors, MEP Michèle Rivasi, Guillaume Gontard (Senator for Isère), Myriam Laïdouni-Denis (regional councilor for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), elected officials of EELV, will certainly leave a very bad impression on the police officers and border guards on duty at the French-Italian border (Menton-Garavan train station and PAF post).
This visit—reported in a long article by the review Politis—highlighted shortcomings and even irregularities in the treatment of migrants, particularly minors. Some of these, if proven true, are particularly serious.
In addition to a “political” use, the elected officials plan to transform their findings into a report to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The question is: are the police officers applying the provisions to the letter, or are they adding some extra zeal?
The lawyer for the association Tous Citoyens, Master Mireille Damiano, particularly committed to this case, has taken over from the elected officials and wants to initiate emergency proceedings: “Such a procedure involves a notion of urgency and the non-respect of a fundamental freedom. Observations confirm that minors, therefore vulnerable persons, are left in neglect by being sent back to Italy. And their rights to freedom, security, and protection normally guaranteed by international texts are being violated.”
The association has called on the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes and the Minister of the Interior to ensure these practices cease and that legal measures are respected.
A call to the deaf?
