Europe: COMPAS Paper: The Exclusion of Asylum Seekers in Europe
This paper discusses certain mechanisms of exclusion practiced by a number of European states and the costs associated with them, before posing a question that is being raised more and more across Europe – what price are we prepared to pay to maintain our borders? The mechanisms of exclusion addressed are deportation, detention and dispersal.
Click here to download paper by researcher Liza Schuster
IDC Launch: JRS Italy: Press Release launch (French)
Communication de presse
Il Service Jésuite des Réfugiés
15 juin 2006
Des hauts responsables musulmans, juifs et catholiques soutiennent le lancement de la Coalition Internationale contre la détention des migrants et des réfugiés
Une centaine de groupes de défense des droits humains de par le monde cherchent des alternatives à l’emprisonnement des migrants et des réfugiés.
« Après avoir, dans leur pays, subi la persécution et la misère, les réfugiés sont confrontés à d’autres souffrances lorsqu’ils privés de leur liberté de mouvement et détenus dans des centres, des camps et des prisons – pour le simple fait d’avoir fui pour sauver leur vie. Depuis 20 ans nous visitons les centres de détention pour immigrants. En Europe, aux Etats-Unis, en Asie du Sud, en Asie Pacifique, en Afrique Australe, en Afrique de l’Est et dans les Caraïbes, notre personnel est un témoin privilégié des dommages physiques et psychologiques causés aux réfugiés en situation de grande vulnérabilité, en particulier les enfants», a déclaré le père Lluis Magriña SJ, Directeur International du JRS.
Le JRS fait partie des membres fondateurs de la toute nouvelle Coalition Internationale contre la Détention des Réfugiés, des Demandeurs d’asile et des Migrants qui est en train d’être lancée dans divers pays du monde à travers une série d’événements qui auront lieu cette semaine. Le 15 juin, le JRS organisera le lancement du premier événement à Rome : une table ronde inter-religieuse sur la détention. Elle aura lieu le jeudi 15 juin à 12 :00 dans les locaux de Radio Vatican situés au numéro 3 de la Piazza Pia, dans la salle Marconi.
A la table ronde seront présents le cardinal Martino du Conseil Pontifical Justice et Paix, Mario Scialoja, le Président de la Ligue Musulmane italienne, et Alan Nacceche, le Président de l’Organisation Juive Bnai Brith Youth. Le Directeur International du JRS modèrera la rencontre.
Même dans des centres fermés de pays riches comme l’Italie, les procédures juridiques qui encadrent la détention sont totalement inadéquates et les conditions inacceptables. De tels traitements sont parfois illégaux, mais toujours immoraux et dégradants », a déclaré Mario Scialoja, le Responsable de la Ligue Musulmane Italienne.
« Ayant à gérer les flux migratoires, on peut comprendre que les états établissent des centres de détention temporaire. Sans jamais oublier pour autant leurs obligations internationales envers les réfugiés et les migrants. En particulier le fait que la détention arbitraire des réfugiés empêche des êtres humains de trouver la sécurité et les prive de leur commune humanité », a déclaré Alan Naccache, le Président de la branche italienne de la section jeunesse de l’Organisation Internationale Bnai Brith.
La détention arbitraire empoisonne la société humaine. Elle blesse aussi bien ceux qui la pratiquent que ceux qui la subissent », a déclaré le Cardinal Martino, le Président du Conseil Pontifical Justice et Paix.
Cette Coalition, qui rassemble une bonne centaine de groupes de défense des droits humains dans 36 pays, a été créée pour sensibiliser l’opinion publique aux politiques et aux pratiques des gouvernements et pour promouvoir plus de protection et de respect des droits humains des réfugiés. Cette coalition plaide en faveur de la limitation de l’utilisation de la détention pour les immigrants, de la recherche d’alternatives à la détention, et de l’utilisation des formes les moins restrictives possibles en la matière.
La Coalition a rassemblé es informations sur les pratiques de détention de 36 pays. Il est apparu que les pires pratiques en matière de détention étaient celles que les états copiaient les uns sur les autres. Tandis que les hommes politiques justifient fréquemment leurs politiques de détention à partir du fait que d’autres pays, souvent plus riches, opèrent de la même manière.
Notes à l’attention des rédacteurs en chef et des journalistes
Le JRS travaille dans plus de 50 pays répartis sur les cinq continents. Il emploie plus de 1 000 personnels : laïcs, Jésuites, religieux et religieuses d’autres congrégations, qui travaillent dans les domaines de l’éducation, de la santé, du social, et autres, au service de plus de 500 000 réfugiés et déplacés. Le JRS offre divers services, dont l’aide juridique, aux migrants réfugiés qui sont détenus sur la seule base de leur statut d’immigré, en Afrique, en Asie, et dans les Amériques. Le JRS offre ses services à tous les réfugiés, quelles que soient leur race, leur origine ethnique ou leur appartenance religieuse.
La Coalition regroupe plus d’une centaine de membres (ONG, organisations confessionnelles, universitaires, individus) répartis dans 36 pays de par le monde – en Europe, au Moyen-Orient, en Afrique, en Asie, dans les Caraïbes, en Amérique du Nord et en Amérique Centrale et Latine- autant de pays où des individus sont détenus pour le seul motif qu’ils sont immigrants.
La Comité Directeur de la Coalition regroupe un certain nombre d’ONG internationales qui portent le souci du traitement réservé aux migrants placés en détention, comme par exemple : Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, le Service Jésuite des Réfugiés, le Service Luthérien pour les Réfugiés et les Immigrés, La Commission des Femmes pour les Femmes et les Enfants Réfugiés, le Conseil Mondial des Eglises, ainsi qu’un certain nombre d’ONG nationales.
La Coalition Internationale sur la Détention sera lancée officiellement le 20 juin 2006. A cette occasion, des événements seront organisés par des membres de la Coalition dans les pays suivants : Etats-Unis, Canada, Mexique, Kenya, Afrique du Sud, Inde, Australie, Liban, Belgique, Espagne, Italie, Hongrie, Malte, Irlande, Jamaïque.
Pour plus d’informations sur la Coalition, contacter Mme Anna Gallagher : email : [email protected] – Tel : (+34) 947 541 835 ; ou Mélanie Teff : [email protected] – Tel : (+39) 06 6897 7386 ; (+39) 338 752 2606.
IDC Launch: JRS Italy: Press Release: (Italian)
Servizio Gesuita per i Rifugiati
I principali leader musulmani, ebrei e cattolici appoggiano il lancio della Coalizione Internazionale sulla detenzione di immigrati e rifugiati
“Dopo aver affrontato la persecuzione e la povertà estrema nei loro paesi, i rifugiati si trovano ad affrontare nuove ulteriori sofferenze, nel momento in cui vengono privati della loro libertà di circolazione e rinchiusi in centri di detenzione – semplicemente per essere fuggiti per salvare le proprie vite. Da più di 20 anni visitiamo i centri di detenzione per immigrati in tutto il mondo e il nostro personale è testimone diretto dei danni fisici e psicologici causati ad individui già molto vulnerabili, in modo particolare i bambini”, dichiara Padre Lluís Magriñà SJ, Direttore Internazionale del Servizio Gesuita per i Rifugiati (JRS)
Il JRS è uno dei fondatori della neo-costituita Coalizione Internazionale per la Detenzione dei Rifugiati, Richiedenti Asilo e Immigrati, che, questa settimana, viene lanciata a livello internazionale attraverso vari eventi nel mondo. Il 15 giugno, il JRS organizzerà il lancio del primo di questi eventi in Italia, a Roma, con una tavola rotonda interreligiosa sulla detenzione. L’evento avrà luogo giovedì 15 giugno alle 12.00 presso la Sala Marconi, Radio Vaticana, Piazza Pia 3, Roma.
“Anche all’interno di centri chiusi, in molti dei paesi di arrivo, come l’Italia, le procedure legali che regolano la detenzione sono totalmente inadeguate e le condizioni di detenzione sono inaccettabili. Un tale trattamento spesso risulta essere illegale, ma è comunque sempre immorale e degradante per la persona” afferma Mario Scialoja, Presidente della Lega Musulmana in Italia.
"Nell’esercizio del proprio ruolo di controllo e regolazione dei flussi migratori è comprensibile che gli stati possano creare dei centri di detenzione temporanea. Tuttavia gli stati non dovrebbero mai dimenticare i loro obblighi internazionali verso i rifugiati e gli altri immigrati. In particolare la detenzione arbitraria dei rifugiati penalizza la persona per il semplice fatto di aver messo in salvo la propria vita e nega la sua umanità” dichiara Alan Naccache, Presidente della sezione giovanile dell’Organizzazione Ebraica Italiana Bnai Brith.
“La detenzione arbitraria avvelena la società umana. Danneggia coloro che la praticano e coloro che la subiscono” dice il Cardinal Martino, del Pontificio Consiglio della Giustizia e della Pace.
La coalizione, che coinvolge oltre 100 organizzazioni per i diritti umani di 36 diversi paesi, si è costituita per sensibilizzare l’opinione pubblica riguardo alle problematiche sulle politiche e le pratiche di detenzione dei governi e per promuovere una maggiore protezione e rispetto dei diritti umani dei detenuti.
La coalizione intende promuovere iniziative di advocacy a favore di un uso limitato della detenzione, dell’adozione di pratiche alternative e per un utilizzo delle forme minime di detenzione per gli immigrati. La coalizione sta raccogliendo informazioni sulle pratiche di detenzione degli immigrati in 36 paesi. In questo lavoro si è rilevato che le peggiori pratiche di detenzione adottate da alcuni governi vengono replicate da altri e che i governi tendono frequentemente a giustificare le proprie politiche di detenzione degli immigrati sulla base del fatto che altri paesi, spesso ricchi, attuano una politica simile.
Note per giornalisti e redattori
La coalizione riunisce oltre un centinaio di membri (organizzazioni non governative organizzazioni di ispirazione religiosa, accademici e singoli individui) di 36 paesi in Europa, Medio Oriente, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Caraibi, nord, centro e sud America. In tutti questi paesi delle persone vengono detenute solamente sulla base del loro status di immigrato.
Il comitato direttivo della coalizione riunisce un numero significativo delle più importanti ONG a livello internazionale, che condividono la preoccupazione circa il trattamento degli immigrati detenuti, come Amnesty International, Human Rights First, l’Osservatorio per i Diritti Umani, Il Servizio Gesuita per i Rifugiati, il Servizio Luterano per immigrati e rifugiati, La Commissione delle Donne per le Donne e i Bambini Rifugiati (Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children), il Consiglio Mondiale per le Chiese, e un certo numero di ONG nazionali.
La Coalizione Internazionale per la detenzione sarà lanciata a livello mondiale il 20 giugno 2006, con una serie di eventi organizzati nei seguenti paesi: Stati Uniti, Canada, Messico, Kenya, Sud Africa, India, Australia, Libano, Belgio, Spagna, Italia, Ungheria, Malta, Irlanda, Svizzera.
Per maggiori informazioni sulla Coalizione è possibile contattare:
Anna Gallagher: e-mail [email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
o Melanie Teff [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
IDC Launch: JRS Italy: Press Release: Italy launch
Press Release
Jesuit Refugee Service
Senior Muslim, Jewish, Catholic leaders support launch of international coalition challenging the detention of migrants and refugees
“After facing persecution and extreme poverty at home, refugees face further suffering when they are deprived of their freedom of movement and detained – simply for fleeing for their lives. We have been visiting immigration detainees around the world for more than 20 years and our staff witness firsthand the physical and psychological harm caused to very vulnerable individuals, particularly children,” said Fr Lluís Magriñà SJ, International Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).
JRS is a founding member of the newly-formed International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants which is being launched worldwide with events around the world this week. On 15 June, JRS will organise the launch of the first such event in Rome, Italy, with an inter-religious round table discussion on detention. This will take place on Thursday 15 June 2006 at 12:00pm in the Sala Marconi, Radio Vaticana, Piazza Pia 3, Roma.
The conference will be addressed by Cardinal Martino of the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace, Mario Scialoja - President of the Italian Muslim League, and Alan Nacceche - President of the Jewish Bnai Brith Youth Organisation. The event will be moderated by Fr Lluís Magriña SJ.
“Even in closed centres in many affluent countries, like Italy, the legal procedures governing detention are wholly inadequate and the conditions unacceptable. Such treatment is often illegal, but always immoral and degrading”, said Mario Scialoja, Italian President of the Muslim League.
"In carrying out their role of managing migration flows, it is understandable that states should establish temporary detention centres. Nevertheless, states should never forget their international obligations to refugees and other migrants. In particular, the arbitrary detention of refugees penalises human beings for seeking safety, and denies their common humanity," said Alan Naccache, President of Italian branch of the youth section of the Jewish Bnai Brith Organisation.
“Arbitrary imprisonment poisons human society. It harms those who practice it as well as those who suffer it,” said Cardinal Martino, of the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace.
The coalition, involving over 100 human rights groups from 36 countries worldwide, was established to raise awareness of governments’ detention policies and practices and to promote greater protection and respect for the human rights of detainees. It advocates limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention.
The coalition has been collecting information on immigration detention practices in 36 countries. It found that the worst detention practices adopted by governments were being copied from others and politicians frequently justify their immigration detention policies on the grounds that another, often richer, country is operating a similar policy.
Notes to Editors and Journalists
JRS works in over 50 countries in five continents around the world. It employs over 1,000 staff: lay, Jesuits and other religious to meet the education, health, social and other needs of over 500,000 refugees and IDPs. It allows provides legal and other services to migrants refugees detained purely on the basis of their immigration status in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its services are provided to refugees regardless of their race, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs.
The coalition involves over one hundred members (non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations, academics and individuals) in 36 countries from around the world – in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, North America, Central and South America – all from countries where individuals are detained purely on the basis of their immigration status.
The steering committee of the Coalition brings together a number of leading international NGOs which share concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, World Council of Churches, and a number of national NGOs.
The international detention coalition is being launched worldwide on 20 June 2006, with events being organised by member organisations in the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Kenya, South Africa, India, Australia, Lebanon, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Ireland, Jamaica
For more information on the coalition,
contact Anna Gallagher: e mail [email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
or Melanie Teff at [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
IDC Launch: JRS Italy: Press Release: Italy launch (Spanish)
Líderes musulmanes, judíos y católicos apoyan la presentación de la coalición internacional sobre la detención de inmigrantes y refugiados
“Después de haber sufrido persecuciones y pobreza extrema en sus países, los refugiados se enfrentan a nuevos sufrimientos cuando se les priva de su libertad de movimiento y se les detiene, simplemente por huir para salvar sus vidas. Hemos estado durante más de 20 años visitando, en todo el mundo, a inmigrantes detenidos, y nuestro personal ha sido testigo de primera mano del daño físico y psicológico causado a personas muy vulnerables, especialmente los niños y las niñas” dijo el P. Lluís Magriñà SJ, director internacional del Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).
"En su tarea de gestionar los flujos migratorios, se entiende que los estados creen centros de detención temporal. Sin embargo, los estados no deberían olvidar jamás sus obligaciones internacionales para con los refugiados y otros inmigrantes. En particular, la detención arbitraria de refugiados castiga a seres humanos que buscan seguridad y les deniega su humanidad común," dijo Alan Naccache, Presidente del capítulo italiano de la sección juvenil de la Jewish Bnai Brith Organisation.
“El encarcelamiento arbitrario envenena a la sociedad humana. Daña a aquellos que la practican tanto como a aquellos que la sufren,” dijo el Cardenal Martino, del Consejo Pontificio para la Justicia y la Paz.
La coalición, que ha involucrado a más de un centenar de grupos de 36 países de todo el mundo, se creó para llamar la atención sobre las políticas y prácticas de detención de los gobiernos y para promover una mayor protección y respeto por los derechos humanos de los detenidos. Defiende limitar el uso de la detención de inmigrantes, y buscar alternativas y recurrir a formas menos restrictivas.
La coalición, que ha estado recabando información sobre las prácticas de detención de inmigrantes en 36 países, descubrió que los gobiernos se copiaban unos a otros las peores prácticas y que los políticos frecuentemente justificaban sus políticas en base a que otros, a menudo más ricos, llevaban a cabo políticas similares.
Notas para editores y periodistas
El JRS trabaja en más de 50 países en todo el mundo. Cuenta con un personal de más de 1.000 personas entre laicos, jesuitas y otros religiosaos y religiosas para hacer frente a las necesidades educativas, sanitarias y sociales de más de 500.000 refugiados y desplazados internos. Esto le permite ofrecer servicios legales, entre otros, a inmigrantes refugiados por la sencilla razón de su estatus migratorio en África, Asia, Europa, y las Américas. Sus servicios se ofrecen indistintamente de la raza, origen étnico, o creencias religiosas.
El comité directivo de la Coalición ha reunido a las principales ONG internacionales, que comparten su preocupación por el trato a los inmigrantes detenidos, tales como Amnistía Internacional, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration y Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, y numerosas ONG nacionales.
La coalición internacional sobre la detención se presentará a nivel mundial el 20 de junio de 2006, mediante eventos organizados por as organizaciones miembros en: EE.UU., Canadá, México, Kenya, Sudáfrica, India, Australia, Líbano, Bélgica, España, Italia, Hungría, Malta, Irlanda y Jamaica.
Para más información sobre la coalición, contacte con Anna Gallagher: e mail[email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
o Melanie Teff en [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
Europe: ECRE: Research paper- Alternatives to detention
Research Paper on Alternatives to Detention- Practical alternatives to the administrative detention of asylum seekers and rejected asylum seekers.
In its 1996 Position Paper on the Detention of Asylum Seekers, the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) sets out the extremely exceptional grounds on which it is reasonable for governments to detain an asylum seeker. The present paper attempts to describe various measures which, though not necessarily ideal in themselves, are at least preferable alternatives to the detention of asylum seekers who are detained on other than exceptional grounds (including rejected asylum seekers who are in the process of appeal).
Click here to download research paper in full
Greek government extends detention for migrants awaiting removal beyond 18 months allowed under EU law
The International Detention Coalition (IDC) joins UNHCR and civil society in expressing concern about the Greek government’s decision to prolong detention of migrants beyond the 18 months permitted by the EU Returns Directive.
In March, the Greek State Legal Council, the legal service of the Greek administration, published an Advisory Opinion that migrants for whom a detention order had been issued could be detained indefinitely until they agreed to return to their home countries. The opinion was issued in response to a query from Greek police regarding 300 migrants who were about to be released because they had completed 18 months in detention and could not be returned within this period. Although Advisory Opinions are not binding, it has reportedly been embraced by Greek police who are already implementing it.
UNHCR reacted by asking the Greek government to ‘review the decision resulting in the prolongation of detention beyond 18 months for all foreign nationals who are subject to return and whose removal has not been carried out yet. Instead, UNHCR recommends applying the relevant procedures provided by the Greek law, i.e. the issuance of decisions for the “postponement of removal” in this case’. It further reiterated that detention for the purposes of return should be imposed only as a last resort.
Vasilis Kerasiotis of the Greek Council for Refugees was quoted by ECRE as stating. “This is a clear violation of Greece’s obligations under the Return Directive. Extreme measures such as this one go beyond the rule of law and present alarming similarities to the unlawful deprivation of liberty as described in art. 325 of the Greek Criminal Code”.
Meanwhile, the NGO Medicins Sans Frontiers published a report calling on the Greek government to end the systematic and prolonged detention of migrants, which is having “devastating consequences on their health and dignity”. The report, entitled Invisible Suffering highlights the massive impact of detention on the physical and mental health of migrants and points out the gaps in healthcare provision and the absence of medical assessments, which lead to detainees with serious medical conditions being neglected or even being forced to interrupt their treatment.
For more information:
- UNHCR asks the Greek Government to review the measure for prolonged administrative detention (UNHCR)
- Greek State Legal Council justifies detention pending removal beyond 18-month time limit set by EU Returns Directive (ECRE)
-
to manage its irregular migrant population? (MIDAS Policy Brief)
- Greece must end systematic and prolonged detention of migrants (MSF)
- EU ignoring migrant suffering, says NGO (Deutche Welle)
When can states detain migrants in prisons? EU Advocate General publishes opinion.
The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union has issued an opinion relating to when migrants can be detained in prisons in the EU. The opinion relates to three cases referred to the Court of Justice by German courts. The question in the first two cases is whether states within a Federal state can detain migrants in prison, when they have no dedicated immigration detention facilities. The third case relates to whether detention of migrants in prisons can be justified when the person has consented to it. The Advocate General provided the opinion that the detention of migrants in prisons would be in breach of EU law in both cases.
“Taken as a whole, the Advocate-General’s opinion neatly brings together excellent arguments about the literal interpretation of the Directive with an appreciation of what a humane interpretation of the Directive would suggest. Although Advocate-General Bot has a reputation for taking a strict view in cases involving convicted criminals, his Opinion in this case shows that he has a very clear understanding of the importance of the difference between convicted criminals and migrants who have committed no crime (leaving aside immigration offences). His analysis certainly ought to be followed by the CJEU”, said Professor Steve Peers on his blog on EU law.
International standards are clear that detention of migrants on the ground of their immigration status should never be punitive in nature and should not take place in prisons. The Human Rights Committee has stated this in its case law as well as in its draft General Comment 35. It is also the position of a number of other bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants (SRHRM), the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT).
Statistics on detention in Malta: UNHCR and EPIO #know the facts booklet
A booklet published by UNHCR and the European Parliament Information Office, #knowthefacts, aims to provide MEPs with accurate information and statistics on asylum and migration in Malta, including on its use of immigration detention. It is part of efforts to contribute to well-informed dialogue on asylum and migration, in the run up to EU Parliament elections. According to the booklet, over 1,900 individuals, including children, were detained because of their migration status in 2013 in Malta. Although vulnerable people are assessed for release from detention, this can take weeks and sometimes months. Malta’s policy of mandatory detention is heavily criticised by civil society and international organisations including UNHCR. See also: Migration: know the facts (Times of Malta)
Detention Action is recruiting an Independent Evaluator for its alternative to detention project
IDC member Detention Action is tendering for an independent evaluator for its new Community Support Project in the UK, an alternative to detention for young ex-offender migrants at risk of indefinite detention. The deadline is 12 May 2014. See more here: http://detentionaction.org.uk/aboutus/vacancies