Vreemdelingenbewaring: UNHCR concerned at detention of asylum-seekers and releases new guidelines
© UNHCR/J.Björgvinsson A mother and her children at a detention centre in Greece. UNHCR advocates alternatives to detention, especially for vulnerable asylum-seekers such as mothers and children. The UN Refugee Agency has issued new guidelines on the detention of asylum-seekers and is concerned at its growing use in a number of countries. The guidelines represent UNHCR policy and are intended as advice for governments and other bodies making decisions on detaining people. As a principle, UNHCR opposes detention of people seeking international protection. The new guidelines make clear that seeking asylum is not a criminal act, and that indefinite and mandatory forms of detention are prohibited under international law, Adrian Edwards, UNHCR spokesman explained. We are disappointed that many countries continue to hold asylum-seekers in detention, sometimes for long periods and in poor conditions, including in some cases in prisons toget...