In late July, Saudi Arabia executed five Ethiopian men who had fled the conflict-riddled Tigray region. The executions, the latest in a series involving foreigners, are taking place against a backdrop of systemic abuses of migrant workers and other non-citizens, including widespread use of abusive detention measures, lack of basic due process guarantees, and widely […]
Migrant Workers
Albania: Submission to the UN Committee on Migrant Workers
In a submission to the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) ahead of its adoption of its List of Issues Prior to Reporting during its 41st session, the Global Detention Project addressed concerns about the country’s migration-related detention policies and practices, including its collaboration with Italy in detaining third-country migrants deported by its neighbour. […]
Belarus: Using the Separation of Mothers from Their Children as a Migration Enforcement Strategy
On 7 August, Belarusian authorities expelled a young Guinean mother while her young baby remained in Belarus. Reportedly, the mother was removed without due process–including the ability to challenge her separation from her child. UN experts have condemned the incident, which reflects a broader pattern in Belarus of using parental separation from children for both immigration and political reasons. […]
Oman: Submission to the Universal Periodic Review
Despite the introduction of significant new legislation (including the 2023 Labour Law) since Oman’s third periodic review by the UPR Working Group, concerning protection gaps still remain–leaving vulnerable groups, particularly migrant domestic workers, at continued risk of detention and deportation.
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Russia: Weaponising Immigration Policies to Push Migrants into War and Launching a New “Expulsion Regime”
Russia is ramping up immigration enforcement to pressure migrants to join the frontline in Ukraine and increase deportations of people from various Asian countries. As part of the Kremlin’s efforts to bolster military strength, foreigners continue to be coerced into fighting in Ukraine–with many being threatened with deportation should they refuse to fight. And since […]
Türkiye: Growing International Pressure to End EU-Financed Harmful and Arbitrary Immigration Detention Practices
A consortium of European media outlets working in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports have released a series of reports revealing the abuses refugees and other migrants face in EU-financed detention centres in Türkiye. The reports follow on numerous recommendations issued by UN human rights bodies earlier this year, which included inputs from the Global Detention Project […]
Qatar: Persistent Concerns Regarding the Treatment of Migrant Workers Despite Reforms
Qatar has adopted important reforms to protect the rights of migrants workers, but weak implementation and ongoing violations reveal inherent problems in the country’s labour system. Recent reports by human rights groups point to persistent exploitation of workers as well as other human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and deportation. Abuses and Exploitation of Migrant […]
United Arab Emirates: Harsh Prison Sentences for Bangladeshi Protesters Reflects Broader Threats to Migrant Workers in the Country
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently sentenced Bangladeshi migrant workers to long-term – and, in some cases, life – prison sentences for demonstrating against a crackdown on anti-government protesters in Bangladesh. The harsh sentences have renewed criticism of the country’s arbitrary and discriminatory treatment of migrant workers. Long-term Imprisonment and Deportations Several dozen Bangladeshi nationals […]
Filipino Migrants Deported from Kuwait Amidst Tensions Over Worker Rights
Amidst tensions between the Philippines and Kuwait concerning migrant worker rights, some 700 Filipino workers were deported from Kuwait between April and July this year. Abused by Employers An estimated 268,000 Filipinos live and work in Kuwait–many of whom are employed as domestic workers. Due to the country’s Kafala system, workers are legally tied to […]
Russia: Immigration Detainees Amongst Foreign Migrants Targeted for Military Recruitment
In an effort to reach recruitment targets for its war in Ukraine, Russia has been attempting to coerce or force foreign migrants to fight. Authorities and private military companies have attempted to enlist foreigners in migration offices, workplaces, prisons, worker dormitories, and mosques. According to several reports, immigration detainees have also been targeted for enlistment. […]
