Afghan teenager boxes his way to French residency

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-12 14:39

PARIS – An Afghan boy abandoned on a French street who became a boxing champion was granted residency rights at a state ceremony Wednesday in a case that reignited debate about France's immigration policy.

Sharif Hassan Zadeh, 17, was smuggled to Europe three years ago by people traffickers who dumped him alone in the northern city of Tourcoing. He was taken in by a shelter for distressed teenagers, where he still lives today.

He took up boxing at a local club and became junior French champion in the super-lightweight category two weeks ago despite having no legal status.

"You have become an example to many young people who live in France, regardless of their nationality," Immigration Minister Eric Besson said on handing Hassan Zadeh his residency papers at a ceremony staged in a blaze of publicity.

Migrant rights activists welcomed the decision but said Hassan Zadeh's success story masked a much harsher reality facing most illegal immigrants under President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I'm happy for him ... but it's an isolated case," Pierre Henry, director-general of the pro-asylum campaign group France Terre d'Asile, told Reuters.

"I would like to believe this is a sign from Eric Besson of a turning point in the government's immigration policy towards a more humane approach. We remain vigilant and will judge him on his actions. This alone is not enough," said Henry.

Human rights groups and the left-wing opposition criticise Sarkozy for setting the Immigration Ministry annual targets for expulsions of clandestine migrants.

Brice Hortefeux, Besson's predecessor until January, said France deported close to 30,000 people in 2008, well in excess of the target of 26,000 set by Sarkozy.

Campaigners called the target arbitrary and said it was achieved by repressive tactics by police and bureaucrats, rounding up migrants at night and encouraging French citizens, including teachers and health professionals, to turn them in.

Critics also blame the government for refusing to legalise thousands of essential migrant workers in catering, hotels and construction who pay tax. Hundreds of migrants staged strikes and protests for residence papers last year.

"I want to thank France which welcomed me, my family whom I think about every day, and my boxing club in Tourcoing which is my second family," Hassan Zadeh said in a short speech in French. The ministry did not allow journalists to question him.

The minister urged Hassan Zadeh to apply for French citizenship, which he will be allowed to do when he turns 18.