Participants in OSCE/ODIHR event in Milan commit to working together to prevent torture, ill-treatment of immigrants in detention

The protection of persons deprived of their liberty in the OSCE region in the context of immigration detention was the focus of a second regional meeting of representatives of national mechanisms for the prevention of torture and civil society organizations active in this area. The meeting was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Geneva-based Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) in Milan on 3 and 4 December 2018.

Senior representatives from 26 national preventive mechanisms (NPMs) and 21 local NGOs gathered for the meeting. They were joined by international and regional experts from ODIHR, the United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and the Office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the Council of Europe. The event resulted from a consultative process with NPMs and civil society from across the OSCE region.

The participants discussed ways to strengthen regional cohesion and joint advocacy efforts for the rights of persons in immigration detention, including raising public awareness about related issues and following up on recommendations by different actors in the field. They exchanged views on the issue of legal grounds for the detention of migrants, including children. They also explored ways to effectively monitor forced returns and the material conditions in detention facilities, with a focus on the prevention of torture and other ill-treatment.

Throughout the meeting, the participants discussed challenges in the interaction and co-operation between NPMs and civil society organizations active in detention monitoring.

“The effective prevention of torture and other ill-treatment, including in the context of the administrative detention of migrants, requires a comprehensive approach, including collaboration between all actors in the field of monitoring,” said Omer Fisher, Head of the ODIHR Human Rights Department. “Building on our previous work with NPMs in the OSCE region, the discussion of experiences, challenges and good practices between NPMs and their national NGO counterparts will strengthen their respective missions and help better prevent torture and ill-treatment.”

Barbara Bernath, the APT’s Secretary General, said: “This exchange is very timely. Next week in Marrakech, states will sign the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. It is key for NPMs and civil society to strengthen their co-operation in holding states accountable, especially regarding the commitment to use immigration detention only as a measure of last resort.”