Although it places comparatively few people in immigration detention, Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe that uses its criminal prison system for migration-related detention. Also, Ireland and the United Kingdom are the only European Union countries that do not apply the Returns Directive, which contains important provisions regulating immigration detention. […]
Country ReportsIn-depth narrative reports examining trends and developments in migration-related detention laws and practices.
In-depth narrative reports examining trends and developments in migration-related detention laws and practices.
Immigration Detention in Latvia
Despite having only a very small number of unauthorized entries, Latvia has described the situation at its borders with Russia and Belarus as “alarming.” Its law provides for an extended period of detention without court order, allows for the detention of children over the age of 14, and lacks provisions ensuring that the detention of […]
Immigration Detention in Lithuania
Lithuania operates one immigration detention centre, the Foreigners Registration Centre, where several hundred people are confined annually. Despite recently expanding the legal grounds for detaining undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, detainee numbers have remained largely stable. The largest proportion of detainees is from Asia. In 2015, of the 353 people placed in immigration detention 203 […]
Immigration Detention in the Netherlands
In contrast to many of its European neighbours, the Netherlands has sharply reduced its immigration detention capacity as a result of decreasing numbers of immigration detainees. Some observers argue that these decreases are in part due to the fact that the government “takes the obligation to consider alternatives more seriously” than it did before the […]
Immigration Detention in Spain
Immigration detention in Spain has declined considerably during the last five years, decreasing by some 50 percent. At the same time, the numbers of “pushbacks” at the borders of Spain’s enclaves in Africa have reportedly increased. The poor treatment of detainees in some detention facilities and the perceived inadequacy of detention as a response to […]
Immigration Detention in Slovenia
To cope with increased numbers of arriving asylum seekers, Slovenia has tightened its immigration controls, erected wire fencing along its borders, and introduced stringent new asylum legislation. The number of people detained for immigration-related reasons rose from 337 in 2014 to 2,338 in 2015. […]
Immigration Detention in Croatia
The EU’s newest member state, Croatia is a transit country for non-citizens attempting to reach Western Europe. The country has benefited from EU funding aimed at controlling immigration, including for the construction of two detention facilities along its borders with Serbia and Bosnia. […]
Immigration Detention in Taiwan, Province of China
Detention is an important tool of immigration control in Taiwan (Province of China). However, the country is not a member of the United Nations and thus its detention practices are not subject to international human rights laws. Nevertheless, Taiwan has long aspired to UN status and it has included key provisions from human rights treaties […]
Immigration Detention in the United Kingdom
The UK’s immigration detention system, one of the largest and most heavily scrutinized in Europe, has been the target of numerous lawsuits, investigations, and public demonstrations. While a recent Home Office-commissioned report called for reducing “boldly and without delay” the detention of certain groups of non-citizens, the new Immigration Act 2016 fails to include many […]
Immigration Detention in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has experienced a surge in negative public attitudes towards Muslims and other foreigners. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, there are credible reports indicating that the country systematically abuses migrants’ rights as part of a deterrent strategy. The number of detained migrants rose from a few hundred in 2013 […]
