Djibouti

Detains migrants or asylum seekers?

Yes

Has laws regulating migration-related detention?

Yes

Refugees

21,612

2023

Asylum Applications

8,915

2023

International Migrants

119,738

2020

Population

1,145,789

2024

Overview

Djibouti serves as a major transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa travelling to the Arabian Peninsula. Many of these migrants depart from the area surrounding the port town of Obock or from remote coastal areas. To reduce the flow of migrants, authorities regularly round up and arrest migrants travelling through the country without proper documentation. Rights groups have expressed particular concern about the situation of detained minors, many of whom claim to have been physically and sexually abused while in police custody.

Types of facilities used for migration-related detention
Administrative Ad Hoc Criminal Unknown

Djibouti’s Crackdown Against Irregular Migrants

As Djibouti’s role as a source and transit point for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to travel to the Arabian Peninsula increases, so do the perils facing migrants both in Djibouti–where they face arrest and detention–and after their departure from the country, during dangerous journeys across the Gulf of Aden.  The “Eastern Route” According to […]

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Djibouti: Covid-19 and Detention

Djibouti is a source and transit country for migration, to and from the Arabian Peninsula. The GDP has reported in the past that authorities regularly rounded up and arrested undocumented migrants, who were then detained in poor conditions. In the context of the pandemic, the closure of the Ethiopian border caused the blockage of migrants, […]

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Info Migrants, “Djibouti a expulsé plus de 2 000 migrants éthiopiens en avril,” 27 April 2020, https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/24369/djibouti-a-expulse-plus-de-2-000-migrants-ethiopiens-en-avril
Last updated: August 2016

Djibouti Immigration Detention Profile

    Djibouti plays an important role as a transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa travelling to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf States, with an estimated 34,237 migrants arriving in Yemen via Djibouti during the first 10 months of 2014. In an effort to reduce this flow of migrants, authorities in Djibouti regularly round up and arrest migrants travelling through the country without proper documentation.[1]

    Djibouti’s efforts to slow the flow of transit migrants include patrolling the coastline and intercepting migrants found at sea. In 2012, approximately 3,533 migrants were intercepted as they were making their way to Yemen. These intercepted migrants are reportedly returned to Djibouti, where they are sent to detention facilities to await deportation.

    In addition to being a transit country, Djibouti serves as a destination country for refugees and migrants from surrounding countries. In the Ali Addeh and Hol Hol refugee camps, Djibouti hosts roughly 21,000 refugees.

    The Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat reports that during the course of 2013, Djibouti detained and deported significant numbers of migrants. While these migrants were generally given the opportunity to claim refugee status, the National Eligibility Commission had not met in years to undertake status determination procedures. When the Commission resumed its work in August 2013, there was a serious backlog of individuals at risk of being deported. Those migrants who did not claim refugee status were generally deported.

    Detained migrants in Djibouti appear to be held mainly in two locations, the Coast Guard base in the port town of Obock and the Nagad Detention Centre near Djibouti City. Although conditions at the Nagad detention centre have been described as poor, detainees reportedly have access to potable water, food, and medical treatment. Foreign embassies and the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) reportedly have access to the Nagad facility, and Djiboutian authorities have allowed ICRC representatives to visit the detention centre on a quarterly basis. Although most detainees are reportedly deported within 24 hours of arrest, there has been at least one situation in which hundreds of refugees were detained in the Nagad Detention Centre for more than five years.

    A particularly important aspect of Djibouti’s migrant detention practices is its detention of children. Many children intend to travel through Djibouti to the Gulf States, but become stranded in the country due to their inability to afford the trip across the Gulf of Aden. These migrant children are frequently arrested and detain by Djiboutian authorities. While in detention, children are placed in overcrowded cells with other detainees, receive irregular and inadequate meals, and face a lack of sanitary services. There have also been reports of abusive behaviour by officials, including sexual abuse by detention centre guards.

     

    [1] This summary relies primarily on information gleaned from the U.S. State Department’s human rights reports and reports from the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat, in particular its February 2015 report Behind Bars: The Detention of Migrants in and from the East & Horn of Africa, available at http://www.regionalmms.org/fileadmin/content/rmms_publications/Behind_Bars_the_detention_of_migrants_in_and_from_the_East___Horn_of_Africa_2.pdf

    DETENTION STATISTICS

    Migration Detainee Entries
    Not Available
    Alternative Total Migration Detainee Entries
    Not Available
    Total Migration Detainees (Entries + Remaining from previous year)
    Not Available
    2019
    Alternative Total Migration Detainees
    Not Available
    Reported Detainee Population (Day)
    Not Available Not Available
    Average Daily Detainee Population (year)
    Not Available
    Immigration Detainees as Percentage of Total Migrant population (Year)
    Not Available

    DETAINEE DATA

    Countries of Origin (Year)
    Number of Asylum Seekers Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
    0
    Number of Women Placed in Immigration Detention (year)
    0
    Total Number of Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
    0
    2017
    Number of Unaccompanied Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
    0
    Number of Accompanied Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
    0
    Number of Stateless Persons Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
    0
    Number of Deaths in Immigration Custody (year)
    0
    Cases of Self-Harming and Suicide Attempts in Immigration Custody (Year)
    0

    DETENTION CAPACITY

    Total Immigration Detention Capacity
    0
    Immigration Detention Capacity (Specialised Immigration Facilities Only)
    0
    Number of Dedicated Immigration Detention Centres
    0

    ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION

    Number of Detainees Referred to ATDs (Year)
    0
    Official ATD Absconder Rate (Percentage)(Year)
    0
    Number of People in ATDs on Given Day
    0

    ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT DATA

    Percentage of Detainees Released (year)
    0
    Percentage of Detainees Deported (year)
    0
    Number of Deportations/Forced Removals (Year)
    0
    Number of Voluntary Returns & Deportations (Year)
    0
    Percentage of Removals v. Total Removal Orders (Year)
    Number of People Refused Entry (Year)
    0
    Number of Apprehensions of Non-Citizens (Year)
    0

    PRISON DATA

    Criminal Prison Population (Year)
    662
    2018
    600
    2016
    750
    2011
    525
    2009
    584
    1999
    650
    1994
    Prison Population Rate (per 100,000 of National Population)
    67
    2018
    66
    2016
    83
    2011
    60
    2009
    93
    1999
    115
    1994

    POPULATION DATA

    Population (Year)
    1,145,789
    2024
    1,100,000
    2023
    1,000,000
    2020
    888,000
    2015
    International Migrants (Year)
    119,738
    2020
    115,341
    2019
    112,400
    2015
    123,500
    2013
    International Migrants as Percentage of Population (Year)
    12.12
    2020
    12.7
    2015
    14.2
    2013
    Refugees (Year)
    21,612
    2023
    20,383
    2022
    23,232
    2021
    21,193
    2020
    19,639
    2019
    18,295
    2018
    17,554
    2017
    17,678
    2016
    19,365
    2015
    20,530
    2014
    Ratio of Refugees Per 1000 Inhabitants (Year)
    19.66
    2016
    23.4
    2014
    22.93
    2013
    Asylum Applications (Year)
    8,915
    2023
    9,174
    2022
    840
    2019
    5,421
    2016
    169
    2014
    781
    2013
    Refugee Recognition Rate (Year)
    100
    2014
    Stateless Persons (Year)
    0
    2023
    0
    2022
    0
    2016
    0
    2014

    SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA & POLLS

    Gross Domestic Product per Capita (in USD)
    1,813
    2014
    Remittances to the Country (in USD)
    36
    2014
    Net Official Development Assistance (ODA) (in Millions USD)
    162.6
    2014
    Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)
    171 (Low)
    2021
    168 (Low)
    2015
    World Bank Rule of Law Index
    14 (-1.5)
    2022

    LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

    Does the Country Detain People for Migration, Asylum, or Citizenship Reasons?
    Yes
    2023
    Yes
    2015
    Does the Country Have Specific Laws that Provide for Migration-Related Detention?
    Yes
    2023
    Detention-Related Legislation
    Loi N° 40/AN/19/8ème L relative aux conditions d'entrée et de séjour des étrangers en République de Djibouti (2019)
    2019
    Expedited/Fast Track Removal
    Yes
    2019
    Re-Entry Ban
    Yes
    Legal Tradition(s)
    Civil law
    2017
    Muslim law
    2017
    Customary law
    2017

    GROUNDS FOR DETENTION

    Immigration-Status-Related Grounds
    Detention for failing to respect a voluntary removal order
    2019
    Detention for unauthorised entry or stay
    2019
    Criminal Penalties for Immigration-Related Violations
    Yes (Yes)
    2019
    Grounds for Criminal Immigration-Related Incarceration / Maximum Length of Incarceration
    Unauthorized entry (180)
    2023
    Children & Other Vulnerable Groups
    Accompanied minors (Prohibited) Yes
    2019
    Accompanied minors Yes
    2015
    Unaccompanied minors Yes
    2015
    Asylum seekers Yes
    2015
    Mandatory Detention
    No
    2023

    LENGTH OF DETENTION

    Maximum Length of Administrative Immigration Detention
    No Limit
    2015

    DETENTION INSTITUTIONS

    Custodial Authorities
    Immigration Department (Ministry of Interior) Foreign Affairs
    2024
    Detention Facility Management
    Police (Governmental)
    2021
    Coast Guard (Governmental)
    2015

    PROCEDURAL STANDARDS & SAFEGUARDS

    COSTS & OUTSOURCING

    COVID-19 DATA

    TRANSPARENCY

    Global Detention Project/Partner Access to Information Requests/Results
    2024 (https://www.globaldetentionproject.org/the-gdp-submits-information-request-to-the-government-of-Djibouti) Minister of Interior, Immigration Department Pending
    2024

    MONITORING

    Types of Authorised Detention Monitoring Institutions
    International Committee for the Red Cross (International or Regional Bodies (IRBs))
    2015

    NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING BODIES

    NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS (OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE)

    NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs)

    GOVERNMENTAL MONITORING BODIES

    INTERNATIONAL DETENTION MONITORING

    INTERNATIONAL TREATIES & TREATY BODIES

    International Treaties Ratified
    Ratification Year
    Observation Date
    OPCRPD, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
    2012
    2012
    CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
    2012
    2012
    ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
    2011
    2011
    CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
    2005
    2005
    CTOCSP, Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
    2005
    2005
    ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    2002
    2002
    ICESCR, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
    2002
    2002
    CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
    2002
    2002
    CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
    1998
    1998
    CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child
    1990
    1990
    VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
    1978
    1978
    CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
    1977
    1977
    PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
    1977
    1977
    Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
    Ratio: 13/19
    Individual Complaints Procedures
    Acceptance Year
    CRPD, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2012
    2012
    ICCPR, First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 2002
    2002
    Ratio of Complaints Procedures Accepted
    Observation Date
    2/7
    2/7

    > UN Special Procedures

    > UN Universal Periodic Review

    Relevant Recommendations or Observations from the UN Universal Periodic Review
    Observation Date
    No 2023 4th
    2023
    No 2009
    2017
    No 2013
    2017

    > Global Compact for Migration (GCM)

    GCM Resolution Endorsement
    Observation Date
    2018

    > Global Compact on Refugees (GCR)

    GCR Resolution Endorsement
    Observation Date
    2018

    REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

    Regional Legal Instruments
    Year of Ratification (Treaty) / Transposed (Directive) / Adoption (Regulation)
    Observation Date
    ACHPR, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 1991
    1991
    APRW, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) 2005
    2005

    HEALTH CARE PROVISION

    HEALTH IMPACTS

    COVID-19

    Country Updates
    Djibouti is a source and transit country for migration, to and from the Arabian Peninsula. The GDP has reported in the past that authorities regularly rounded up and arrested undocumented migrants, who were then detained in poor conditions. In the context of the pandemic, the closure of the Ethiopian border caused the blockage of migrants, who became stranded along the borders with Ethiopia and Yemen. As of 27 August, IOM reported that 870 were currently living in “spontaneous sites located along the migration corridor.” Djibouti’s borders reopened on 16 July, which caused a surge of movement into the country, according to IOM. Nowever, there appears to be no publicly available information about whether Covid-related sanitary measures have been taken in facilities that are used to detain migrants and refugees. On the other hand, Djibouti did take some steps in its prisons to limit the spread of infections. On 23 March, the government announced that it would reduce the sentences of convicted prisoners by six-months. In April, Info Migrants reported that the country deported more than 2,000 migrants to Ethiopia, despite surging infections.
    Did the country release immigration detainees as a result of the pandemic?
    Unknown
    2021
    Did the country use legal "alternatives to detention" as part of pandemic detention releases?
    Unknown
    2021
    Did the country Temporarily Cease or Restrict Issuing Detention Orders?
    Unknown
    2021
    Did the Country Adopt These Pandemic-Related Measures for People in Immigration Detention?
    Yes (Unknown) Unknown Unknown Unknown
    2020
    Did the Country Lock-Down Previously "Open" Reception Facilities, Shelters, Refugee Camps, or Other Forms of Accommodation for Migrant Workers or Other Non-Citizens?
    Unknown
    2021
    Were cases of COVID-19 reported in immigration detention facilities or any other places used for immigration detention purposes?
    Unknown
    2021
    Did the Country Cease or Restrict Deportations/Removals During any Period After the Onset of the Pandemic?
    No
    2020
    Did the Country Release People from Criminal Prisons During the Pandemic?
    Yes
    2020
    Did Officials Blame Migrants, Asylum Seekers, or Refugees for the Spread of COVID-19?
    Unknown
    2021
    Did the Country Restrict Access to Asylum Procedures?
    Yes
    2020
    Did the Country Commence a National Vaccination Campaign?
    Yes
    2021
    Were Populations of Concern Included/Excluded From the National Vaccination Campaign?
    Unknown (Unknown) Unknown Unknown Unknown
    2021