A young Moroccan and a young Egyptian filed a complaint on April 14 at the Versailles police station against the Savea 78-Espoir shelter in Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Yvelines), accusing it of «racial discrimination» and «mistreatment», Le Parisien reports. The shelter accommodates unaccompanied minors (UAM). Their complaints come on the heels of a letter addressed to a children's judge on April 7, signed by 22 young residents. In it, they allege months of psychological abuse, insults, threats, and pressure linked to their administrative status. «We tried to report these abuses, but no concrete action was taken to protect us. That's why we turn to you, hoping for justice and protection», the letter reads. The situation escalated on February 24, when the two complainants and a third youth were expelled from the shelter without explanation or official documentation. Despite winter protections banning evictions, they ended up on the streets with no money or housing. «Our belongings, including key documents like passports, were thrown away», two of them said. One reported sleeping in a garbage room, then at Trappes train station. They say they survived on meals distributed by the Trappes mosque during Ramadan. The young men directly accuse the shelter's head of service, who took up the post in 2023, of repeated racist and degrading remarks, such as: «Go back to your country», «Eat rocks», and «Go sell cigarettes in Barbès like your brothers». They also cite invasive searches, confiscation of school laptops, a lack of Wi-Fi, and unjustified suspension of their monthly pocket money (€20) and allowances for food and clothing (€270). The shelter's director said he had launched an internal investigation and suspended the staff member in question. «There is no consideration, nor will there be, for her return. I cannot imagine keeping someone who would make such inappropriate comments toward children», he stated. He also acknowledged tensions surrounding budget management, which led to the creation of a shared fund. Regarding the expulsions, shelter management cited rule violations in the case of two of the youths and a deportation order (OQTF) for the third. With the support of teachers from Vaucanson High School and the association Les Blouses Blanches, several young people have since been rehoused. The departmental council declined to comment.
