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166 NGOs call on the EU institutions to respect asylum seekers' right to liberty in EU asylum legislation

Summary
Rights groups appeal as EU begins negotiations on legislation regarding how asylum-seekers are received by Member States
Organization:
By ECRE
Date of Publication:
07 May 2012

166 NGOs call on the EU institutions to respect asylum seekers' right to liberty in EU asylum legislation

On 7 May, ECRE and Amnesty International submitted an appeal to the EU institutions to maintain the presumption against detention in EU asylum legislation and uphold as a minimum a list of essential safeguards on the detention of asylum seekers in EU asylum legislation.

The appeal, Not crossing red lines – A negotiator's checklist on minimum detention safeguards, was signed by 166 organisations comprising human rights, medical and judicial civil society organistions active across Europe and internationally.

The detrimental effects of detention on the physical and psychological well-being of people fleeing persecution, regardless of their age, sex and physical and psychological health is widely documented. What is more, when asylum seekers are granted international protection, detention can greatly hinder their successful integration into the host society.

Appeal to EU Institutions Ensure respect for asylum seekers right to liberty in recast reception conditions Directive and Dublin regulation (306.95KB)

Not crossing red lines - A negotiator's checklist on minimum detention safeguards (202.79KB)