The Amsterdam court has ruled that the Judicial Complex Schiphol is not a suitable place to detain asylum seekers due to its resemblance to a prison environment. The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Migration plans to appeal the decision, according to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
The Council of State will review the case. In a similar case, the Council of State recently deemed the facility a lawful location for housing asylum seekers.
The complex, opened in 2013, also houses convicted criminals and has a separate section for asylum seekers not meeting entry conditions. The number of asylum seekers detained there has risen significantly, making separation from inmates challenging, says Karen Geertsema, a law professor at Radboud University.
Geertsema notes that 170 asylum seekers are currently housed there. Several have appealed their detention, arguing it violates their right to freedom and resembles a prison environment.
The court conducted an investigation, including an inspection, to assess conditions. It found that asylum seekers share cells and face restrictions similar to inmates, including limited outdoor time and phone use.
Cameras monitor them throughout the building, except in cells. Geertsema adds that staffing shortages further limit asylum seekers’ time outside their cells.
The Council of State will make the final decision.
Source: NOS