There is little available information about the treatment of migrants or asylum seekers in enforcement procedures in Benin. Shortly after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, on 21 March 2020, visits to prisons were suspended. In early May, more than 400 inmates were released to limit the spread of the virus. At the prison in […]
Africa
South Africa: Covid-19 and Detention
Despite some positive steps announced by the South African government, including regarding the non-penalisation of migrants and asylum seekers whose visas expire during the pandemic (see 6 May update), migrants have continued to be arrested throughout the crisis. Some politicians have publicly celebrated these arrests – including Faith Mazibuko, a member of the Executive Council […]
Burkina Faso Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)
Burkina Faso Detention Data (2020) The latest detention-related data from Burkina Faso, including immigration and detention-related statistics, domestic laws and policies, international law, and institutional indicators. View the Burkina Faso Detention Data Profile Related Reading: Burkina Faso: Country Page Burkina Faso: COVID-19 Updates Burkina Faso: International Law […]
Nigeria Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)
Nigeria Detention Data (2020) The latest detention-related data from Nigeria, including immigration and detention-related statistics, domestic laws and policies, international law, and institutional indicators. View the Nigeria Detention Data Profile Related Reading: Nigeria: Country Page Nigeria: COVID-19 Updates Nigeria: International Law […]
Nigeria: Covid-19 and Detention
Amnesty International has warned about the potential spread of Covid-19 in the country’s overcrowded prisons and detention centres. It highlights the case of Kaduna Prison which although having a capacity of only 473 inmates, as of early April had “1,480 prisoners; while Enugu Maximum Security Prison with capacity for 638, now has 2,077 prisoners.” In […]
Morocco: Covid-19 and Detention
Migrants and asylum seekers in Morocco have reportedly been deported to the Algerian border and left in the desert. According to the NGO Caminando Fronteras, even though borders have been shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Morocco has deported more than 100 people, including children. A sub-saharan migrant reported that he was left in Maghnia […]
Mauritania: Covid-19 and Detention
With the support of Frontex, an agreement between Spain and Mauritania allows for the return of Mauritanian nationals or migrants arriving in the Canary Islands. In 2018, four flights were carried out. However, from mid 2019 to mid March 2020, nine flights took place. According to the Mixed Migration Centre, at the beginning of the […]
Libya: Covid-19 and Detention
Reports indicate that while Libya has taken steps to release some prisoners, its detention centres for holding migrants and asylum seekers remain in operation. In Tripoli, 466 prisoners were released in early April. Although many migrant detention centres are still functioning, staff have reportedly been reduced to a minimum. Doctors Without Borders reported that the […]
Egypt Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)
Egypt Detention Data (2020) The latest detention-related data from Egypt, including immigration and detention-related statistics, domestic laws and policies, international law, and institutional indicators. View the Egypt Detention Data Profile Related Reading: Egypt: Country Page Submission to the UN Committee on Migrant Workers: Egypt Egypt: COVID-19 Updates […]
Egypt: Covid-19 and Detention
Egypt does not operate dedicated facilities for immigration-related detention, nor is there an official list of detention sites for this purpose. However, according to Decree 659 (1986), the following prisons should be used for the temporary custody of foreigners awaiting deportation: Qanater El-Kharereya Men’s Prison, Qanater El-Khayereya Women’s Prison, Alexandria Prison, Port Said Prison, and […]
