French authorities accused of ‘social cleansing’ as Olympics approach

NGOs have blasted French authorities for accelerating “social cleansing” after hundreds of squatters were evicted ahead of the Olympics, Report informs via Inside The Games.

French police broke up two migrant camps in the north of Paris on Wednesday in what appears to be a concentrated effort in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

According to the Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World), a humanitarian aid organization headquartered in the Saint-Denis northern suburbs of Paris, over 230 people were evicted on Wednesday mostly consisting of migrants.

The organization reported that actions of this kind have been taking place at an accelerated rate lately, and while French authorities rejected it having any association with the Olympics, NGOs have highlighted that it has recently become much easier for migrants to access shelters far from the heart of the capital.

"They've really accomplished a massive social cleansing just before the Olympics start," said Medecins du Monde representative, Paul Alauzy.

"Previously there were drastic conditions for admission but now, just before the Games, everybody can go. They're offering temporary solutions to ensure the streets of Paris are cleared."

Wednesday’s evictions are on the back of police clearing around 250 people from another squat along Ourcq canal in northeastern Paris on Tuesday.

According to reports, authorities told those evicted that they could either be taken to a shelter situated on the outskirts of Paris or take a 5-hour coach journey to Besancon in eastern France.