French court upholds decision to dismantle Calais "jungle" migrant camp

The administrative court of Lille on Tuesday upheld a decision to close the migrants camp in Calais, northern France, rejecting a group of charities' request to halt the camp's closure.

The court ruled that dismantling the migrants camp -- known as "the jungle" -- in the French port city "does not disregard the principle of prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment."

"On the contrary, the closure aims to put an end to such treatment to which migrants are currently subject," it added.

In a joint statement, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Housing Minister Emmanuelle Cosse said the court's decision "confirms the government's humanitarian approach and determination to initiate the dismantling of the camp as soon as possible and before the winter."

On Sept. 25, French President Francois Hollande pledged to completely dismantle the shanty town in northern Calais where thousands of migrants are camping, vowing to redistribute them in centers across the country.

They will be put into groups of 40 to 50 people for a limited period between three and four months. The migrants who fit the asylum criteria will stay in France while those who do not will be sent home, according to the French president.

Wars, political instability and poverty in many Arab and African countries forced thousands of people to displace and seek a better life in Europe, leading to an unprecedented migrant crisis.

About 9,000 migrants live in Calais where the French end of the Channel Tunnel is located. The migrants attempt to board lorries and trains heading to Britain.

France has promised to receive 30,000 refugees over the next two years. Endit