Third Day of Iranian Refugees Protesting with Sewn Lips

Five days after the destruction of the makeshift migrant camp in Calais, France, known as the 'Jungle,' several Iranian migrants continue their protest by sewing their lips shut for the third consecutive day. According to AFP, these Iranian migrants lined up against riot police who are guarding workers demolishing the camp. The makeshift camp on the outskirts of Calais in northwestern France has been home to migrants for years, hoping to cross the English Channel illegally to reach British soil. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve expressed 'deep sadness and compassion' regarding the Iranian migrants' protest in an interview with a French television network. He added that the goal of the Calais municipality is to 'find suitable accommodation for everyone in unsuitable conditions.' Early on Friday, Calais officials announced that the demolition of about a quarter of the southern half of the two-hectare camp, which had been planned, was completed. According to Calais municipal officials, the demolition of the southern half of the camp will take at least a month, with work halting on Saturdays and Sundays and resuming on Mondays. However, no decision has yet been announced regarding the fate of the rest of the camp. A Calais municipal official told AFP, 'Our plan is not to rush the work. The demolition of some parts of the camp is simpler than others. We must carry out this work in a very pragmatic and humane manner.' Municipal employees have tried to persuade migrants living in the recently demolished areas to move to centers designated by the government in various parts of France or to stay in containers equipped with minimal living necessities provided next to the camp. However, many migrants are unwilling to give up their dream of hiding in trucks and going to Britain. As a result, many have moved to camps in the northern border areas of France, where living conditions are even more dire than in Calais.