Can Immigration Detention Monitoring Lead to Less Detention and Lasting Reforms?

Introduction to the GDP Webinar: The Role of OPCAT in Preventing Harmful Immigration Detention By Michael Flynn It is an enormous pleasure to welcome you all here today to our webinar, “The Role of OPCAT in Preventing Harmful Migration-related Detention,” which is the third in the Global Detention Project’s on-going webinar series aimed at building […]

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United States: Covid-19 and Detention

On 30 August, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released Concluding observations concerning its periodic review of US implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Committee highlighted the discriminatory application of immigration enforcement measures, stating that mandatory detention measures have a “disparate impact on asylum seekers of […]

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TÜRKIYE: Joint Submission to the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families

Together with the International Refugee Rights Association, the GDP has submitted information to the Committee on Migrant Workers concerning Türkiye’s immigration detention laws and practices. In particular, the submission highlights reports of ill-treatment and limited access to health care; the detention of vulnerable groups; and the treatment of migrants identified as Yabancı Terörist Savaşçı. […]

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Canada: Covid-19 and Detention

In a historic move, British Columbia’s Public Safety minister announced in July that the province will end the use of provincial jails for confining immigration detainees. The announcement, which followed a review of the province’s contract with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to facilitate the use of provincial correctional facilities for detaining migrants, is […]

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Botswana: Covid-19 and Detention

Following its recent visit to Botswana, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) expressed serious concerns regarding the country’s punitive approach towards refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. Having visited two detention sites, the Working Group urged Botswanan authorities to revise its policies to ensure that immigration detention is used as an exception, for the […]

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Bahamas: Covid-19 and Detention

On 24 July 2022, 17 Haitian migrants, including a child, were found dead while 25 others were rescued at sea after their ship sank off the coast of the Bahamas. It is believed that the speedboat capsized in rough seas while heading towards Miami with up to 60 people on board. Two people were arrested […]

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WHO: World Report on the Health of Refugees and Migrants

On 20 July, the World Health Organisation launched its first ever report on refugee and migrant health. Bringing together key evidence about the multitude of health challenges faced by refugees and migrants, the report explores the trends, gaps, and good practices in protecting and promoting the health of refugees and migrants worldwide. Key to health […]

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Armenia: Covid-19 and Detention

Since there start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Armenia has experienced an increase in the numbers of people seeking asylum in the country, most of whom are from Ukraine.The country’s migration service reported that from January to March 2022, they had received applications for asylum from 13 countries, including Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Lebanon, and […]

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ZIMBABWE: Joint Submission to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

In a joint submission to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the GDP and LHR highlight Zimbabwe’s efforts to control and block migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers for reasons related to their nationality. In particular, the submission points to reports of discriminatory treatment including forced returns of refugees, limited freedom of movement and confinement in Tongogara Camp, female migrants’ health vulnerabilities, and the detention of children. […]

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