Author
In 2023, the most represented countries of origin of individuals detained in CPRs were Tunisia (3.211 persons, representing almost 48% of CPRs’ population), Egypt (574 persons, 8%), Morocco (305, 5%) and Nigeria (142, 2%) [1] These numbers were similar to those registered in 2021, when the most the most represented countries of origin for CPR detainees were Tunisia (2,805 persons, representing almost 55% of CPRs’ population), Egypt (515 persons, 10%), Morocco (420 persons, 8%), Albania (219 persons, 4%) and Nigeria (215, 4%).[2]
Similar to what already noted in Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure, it is to be reported that persons coming from specific countries – and especially Tunisia – are particularly targeted for what concerns detention. Tunisia is indeed by far the most represented nationality in CPRs, as well as the Country where most returns are carried out to.
In 2023, as reported by Action Aid project, 6,669 people – 99% of them men – had been detained in CPRs, roughly 44% out of which (2,979) were actually returned. Tunisia is by far the most represented nationality amongst detained migrants and the country with the highest return rate (3,211 out of 6,714 detained migrants are Tunisians and 2,022 out of 2,979 returned migrants are returned to Tunisia).[3]
It has been noted how the speed with which returns to Tunisia continue being carried out has led to serious violations of the rights of Tunisian nationals transiting through CPRs, from the violation of the right to be informed about the possibility of applying for asylum, to the practice of not formalising applications for international protection, to, where an application for international protection is finalised, subjecting Tunisian asylum applicants to a fast track procedure.[4]
In the past, other nationalities have been targeted for detention and repatriation. This was the case of Nigeria: in 2017, the Moi issued a circular ordering the emptying of all immigration detention centres (at that time, these were still called CIEs) to make room for Nigerian nationals.[5] Record numbers of returns to Nigeria were registered in 2019, with 734 persons returned via 8 charter flights.[6] In 2022, 89 Nigerian nationals were repatriated, while in 2023, 136 had been repatriated since, demonstrating a decrease in the number of repatriations to Nigeria compared to the previous years.[7]
For an analysis of the phenomenon from a gender perspective, see section on Detention of vulnerable applicants.
[1] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti 2024. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian at: https://trattenuti.actionaid.it/persone/.
[2] Report to Parliament Annexes to the yearly report of the National Guarantor for the rights of detained persons, June 2023, available at: https://rb.gy/r73ey6.
[3] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti 2024. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian at: https://trattenuti.actionaid.it/persone/.
[4] CILD, Buchi Neri, available in Italian at: https://bit.ly/3u710qg.
[5] Open Migration, Perché sono i nigeriani a venire rimpatriati più spesso, July 2017, available at: https://bit.ly/3tgbuV1.
[6] National Guarantor for the rights of detained persons, Relazione al Parlamento, June 2020, available in Italian at: https://bit.ly/3CPliIB.
[7] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti 2024. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian at: https://trattenuti.actionaid.it/persone/.