Human Rights Court condemns Hungary over conditions in transit zones
In the case of R.R. and Others v. Hungary, the European Court of Human Rights found that the detention conditions in the Röszke transit zone violated the prohibition of ill-treatment. The Court assessed the detention of a family of five, including children and a pregnant mother, who lacked adequate access to food, health and other basic services. The Court also found that the situation in the Röszke transit zone amounted to a de facto deprivation of liberty (art. 5§1).
New report uncovers impact of COVID-19 on immigration detention in Europe
A report by the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe analyses the impact of COVID-19 on immigration detention, alternatives to detention and detention conditions in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Spain. Of the countries analysed, only Spain officially released all people held in detention centers during the lockdown and suspended new detention orders. In Belgium, Germany and Italy, many detainees were released in practice, but there was no official decision from the responsible authorities on the issue. Post-release accommodation was not always guaranteed. In all countries, people released during the pandemic could be detained again. Their orders to leave the country, as well as associated time limits, were generally not altered.
New study on detention of people with vulnerabilities
A new study by PICUM looks at the detention of people with vulnerabilities, and screening mechanisms, in Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The study finds that mechanisms to screen vulnerabilities are absent in most cases, and even when they exist, like in Belgium and in the UK, people who are identified as vulnerable are frequently still detained as migration control purposes trump other considerations. The study recommends the establishment of regular screenings, which have to be independent, transparent and individualised, so people with vulnerabilities are not detained.
Human Rights Court condemns Hungary over conditions in transit zones
In the case of R.R. and Others v. Hungary, the European Court of Human Rights found that the detention conditions in the Röszke transit zone violated the prohibition of ill-treatment. The Court assessed the detention of a family of five, including children and a pregnant mother, who lacked adequate access to food, health and other basic services. The Court also found that the situation in the Röszke transit zone amounted to a de facto deprivation of liberty (art. 5§1).
New report uncovers impact of COVID-19 on immigration detention in Europe
A report by the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe analyses the impact of COVID-19 on immigration detention, alternatives to detention and detention conditions in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Spain. Of the countries analysed, only Spain officially released all people held in detention centers during the lockdown and suspended new detention orders. In Belgium, Germany and Italy, many detainees were released in practice, but there was no official decision from the responsible authorities on the issue. Post-release accommodation was not always guaranteed. In all countries, people released during the pandemic could be detained again. Their orders to leave the country, as well as associated time limits, were generally not altered.
New study on detention of people with vulnerabilities
A new study by PICUM looks at the detention of people with vulnerabilities, and screening mechanisms, in Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. The study finds that mechanisms to screen vulnerabilities are absent in most cases, and even when they exist, like in Belgium and in the UK, people who are identified as vulnerable are frequently still detained as migration control purposes trump other considerations. The study recommends the establishment of regular screenings, which have to be independent, transparent and individualised, so people with vulnerabilities are not detained.