French police raid on migrant camp sparks outrage ahead of Olympics

European human rights organizations have criticized the brutal actions of French police, armed and with a force of 250 officers, who stormed a makeshift camp at an abandoned bus company headquarters in Vitry-sur-Seine. Activists condemned the law enforcers for inhumane actions, suggesting the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris as the motive behind the crackdown.

The camp served as a refuge for more than 450 people, mostly migrants, including young men as well as women with children.

Human rights organizations have voiced their objections to this clean-up of the city in preparation for the Olympics, highlighting the concern that migrants were forcibly removed from their makeshift shelters without being offered any alternative accommodation.

Paul Alauzy from the humanitarian organization Médecins du Monde commented, "The squat was the biggest in France. It doubled in size in one year because of the Olympics. Last year, authorities cleared out migrants from nearby the Olympic Village, and many displaced people came here," as reported by Le Monde.

As the Olympics near, France engages in a cleanup effort, including evacuating the squat in Vitry-sur-Seine. According to the association, the former bus depot, abandoned since 2021 and slated for demolition, had been informally permitted by city authorities to be used as temporary shelter for the homeless, a population growing in response to the surging rent prices in Paris.

As noted by Le Monde, some of those evicted from the depot in Vitry-sur-Seine have been awaiting social housing. Many left the buildings before the police action to evade confrontation. Those who stayed either had no alternative housing options or did not anticipate such decisive action from the officers.

Authorities in other cities, including Ile-de-France, Bordeaux, and Orleans, have offered temporary housing to the expelled individuals. The allocation is based on a quick evaluation of their family and administrative circumstances.