France 'hides poverty' behind 'social cleansing' ahead of Paris Olympics

The report claims the number of evictions is rising and there will be more in the run-up to July 26, the day the games kick off. Photo: Anadolu

France is trying to «hide poverty» ahead of the Paris Olympics, according to a new report accusing it of «social cleansing.»

Authorities have resorted to clearing areas in Paris where, according to Le Revers de la Medaille («The Other Side of the Coin»), homeless groups are coming together, which includes leading charities.

Evictions are on the rise, with more to come in the run-up to July 26, the report claims. games start.

The French capital is preparing to welcome crowds of high-priced spectators for a sporting exhibit worth more than £4 billion.

Paul Alouzi, a spokesman for the collective, said that «everything is getting out of control» with «future expulsions and police intervention security perimeters are being expanded.

These include the area around the Seine in central Paris, where an ambitious opening ceremony involving dozens of command barges will take place.

«Widespread anger of families»

Last week, up to 150 people, including many children, were taken from a makeshift camp near the Hotel de Ville, Paris's city hall.

The building overlooks the Seine and currently features a huge Olympic logo on its façade, as well as other promotional materials.

< p>A charity worker who saw them being dispersed told The Telegraph: “They were put on buses and told they would be taken to Besançon for processing.”

< p> p>Many objected to being taken to the eastern city, which is more than 250 miles from Paris, although they could receive temporary accommodation there.

“There was no violence, but there was widespread anger from those involved families, many of whom were from African countries, and found it difficult to cope. in France,” said an employee of a charity organization.

“Many of them were asylum seekers who wanted to stay in Paris while their applications were processed, but this appears to be prohibited during the Olympics.”

“Concealing poverty”

Police operations aimed at Also happening regularly demolition of tents used by homeless people on the banks of the Seine.

The figures show there were 33 major evictions from camps in the year to March, up from 19 in the year to March. last year, the report said.

It also found that other French cities participating in the Olympic Games were subject to “social cleansing” aimed at “hiding poverty.”

At the end of March, slums near the football stadium in Bordeaux, where the Olympic football games will be held, were cleared.

Ville de Paris and French Interior Ministry officials denied there was any official policy of «social cleansing» or «cover-up» poverty,» especially during the Olympic Games.

«Police are required to close unauthorized camps for health and safety reasons,» said a source at the Hôtel de Ville.< /p>