The Avignon Criminal Court will judge for the first time on Tuesday a request for reimbursement of expenses incurred to accommodate a young minor from Guinea-Conakry. The young man arrived in Europe in 2018 but the department of Vaucluse disputes the veracity of the passport and the consular card provided by the young man to prove that he is a minor. The department claims 38,280.34 euros for nearly a year of support.
The department had repeatedly requested reimbursement of expenses incurred for minors; each time, the court of Avignon had declared itself incompetent. This is the first time that a hearing has taken place in the criminal court on this request for reimbursement.
The Vaucluse departmental council does not wish to speak at the microphone on this subject but the department assumes its request for reimbursement and explains that he will prosecute all foreigners who cheat because this fraud reduces the means allocated to the reception of other foreign minors.
The young Guinean’s lawyer evokes a discriminatory policy
The young man’s lawyer believes that the department of Vaucluse wants to avoid welcoming these unaccompanied minors. Maître Véronique Marcel talks about politics “discriminatory” and points out the departmental council’s approach: “As soon as there is a doubt – and it is very often – the department council rejects these young people on the street. They wander or are taken care of without medical follow-up or administrative procedures. If we wonder about their identity, the county council should call the embassy itself. They never do because the desire of the department is to welcome as few young foreigners as possible for obviously political reasons.
Will Ukrainian refugees be treated like African migrants?
Maitre Véronique Marcel worries about the reception of other foreigners : “Let’s imagine a Ukrainian family whose house has been completely destroyed, including documents such as passports or national identity cards, when they arrive in France, how do they prove their identity? It is exactly the same question that arises for African migrants. In addition, when they leave their homes, the smugglers confiscate the documents”.
Itemized bill from hotel to shoes
The department claims 38,280.34 euros from the young man from Guinea Conakry : 24,574 euros for hotel accommodation “while other departments favor less expensive accommodation in hostels” points out the lawyer. The department adds 200 euros for transport, 80 euros for shoes and various costs, including 11,666 euros for support for one hour per week. “but it was the Rosmerta association that took care of the medical and administrative procedures” protests Maitre Véronique Marcel. The young man obtained a CAP in Avignon. He is currently preparing a professional baccalaureate in logistics.
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