Author
In 2024, the most represented countries of origin of people detained in CPRs were Tunisia (2,756 persons, representing almost 45% of CPRs’ population), Egypt (488 persons, 8%), Morocco (856, 14%) and Nigeria (418, 7%).[1] These numbers are similar to those registered in 2023, when the most the most represented countries of origin for CPR detainees were Tunisia (3,211 persons, representing almost 48% of CPRs’ population), Egypt (574 persons, 8%), Morocco (305 persons, 5%), and Nigeria (142, 2%).[2]
Similar to what already noted in Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure, 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 2024, as reported by Action Aid project, 6,164people – 99% of them men – were detained in CPRs, roughly 42% of which (2,570) were actually returned. Tunisia is by far the most represented nationality amongst detained migrants and the country with the highest return rate (2,756 out of 6,164 detained migrants are Tunisians and 1,697out of 2,570 returned migrants are returned to Tunisia).[3] 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]
For an analysis of the phenomenon from a gender perspective, see section on Detention of vulnerable applicants.
[1] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian here.
[2] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian here.
[3] See the Action Aid project Trattenuti. Una radiografia del sistema detentivo per stranieri, available in Italian here.
[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.