Author
Children and unaccompanied children asylum seekers cannot be detained in the Aliens Centre according to Article 84(2) IPA. However, they can be detained in the Asylum Home. In practice, unaccompanied children have also been de facto detained in the reception area of the Asylum Home for periods reaching up to 20 days until the lodging of their asylum application.
Victims of torture and other vulnerable people can be detained in the Aliens Centre, but according to the law special attention has to be paid to their health, including their mental health, and regular monitoring and appropriate assistance guaranteed taking into account their specific circumstances.[1]
Unaccompanied minors cannot be detained in the Aliens Centre if they lodged the application for international protection. Other minors and unaccompanied children who are detained in the Aliens Centre are considered as potential victims of trafficking. In 2019, two foreigners with mental health problems were detained in the Aliens Centre and were both provided with psycho-social support, health checks and examination with a psychiatrist. One LGBT foreigner was also detained.[2] In 2020, 97 children and 304 unaccompanied children were detained in the Aliens Centre. Two women with mental health problems were also detained. They were both provided with psycho-social support, health checks and examinations. They were enabled daily contact with friends and family members on the phone or by the internet. A man with severe eyesight issues was also detained. He was also provided with psycho-social support, health checks, and regular access to outdoor activities.[3]
[1] Article 84(8) IPA.
[2] Official statistics provided by the Police, January 2020.
[3] Information provided by the Police, January 2021