Regional Immigration Detention Profile
The detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants is of growing concern in much of the Europe region, with increased use of administrative detention, including of asylum seekers, children, unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable individuals.

The recently ratified EU Returns Directive raised serious concerns in the region. The Directive sanctions the detention of persons who have not committed a crime for up to 18 months pending removal. Unaccompanied children and families are also affected. This directive has seen the extension of time limits on detention in several countries. While others, such as the UK are derogating from the Directive, and continue to practice indefinite detention. The UK and Denmark currently routinely detain migrants for periods of years.

Detention of children is still routine in several countries, with concerns around detention conditions in many countries. See below for the latest news, resources and developments.

Regional Representatives:
The IDC’s work in Europe & Central Asia is divided into two sub-regions:
1) Western Europe
2) Eastern & Central Europe

* To contact the IDC Regional Representative for Western Europe: Jerome Phelps, Detention Action
* To contact the IDC Regional Representative for Eastern & Central Europe. Grusa Matevzic, HHC
* For Europe regional inquiries, please e-mail: kwright@idcoalition.org

Members: To see our members in this region click here.

Groups: Members area coming soon.