On most points, the Danish authorities reject the criticism that the Council of Europe’s torture committee raised in January against the conditions at the Ellebæk Immigration Center.
This is evident from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response to a large number of criticisms and recommendations. The answer is more than 100 pages and has been sent to the Folketing’s legal committee.
The criticism of the international experts attracted attention. Among other things, they asked for an indictment to be investigated for violence and for the employees’ racist language in Ellebæk. But the Prison Association found the criticism unreasonable and unreasonable.
It now appears from Denmark’s official reaction that the case of violence cannot be substantiated, just as a leader in the institution has not been able to find concrete examples of the use of derogatory words.
On the other hand, in some cases there may be “linguistic misunderstandings” between the employees and the detainees, it is stated.
In Ellebæk and in Nykøbing Falster Arrest, rejected asylum seekers who do not want to return home are detained.
The torture committee’s report stated that foreigners could only breathe fresh air for 30 minutes per day. day in Ellebæk. This is not true, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out in the answer.
Until March this year, there has been access to an hour outside every day. And since March, foreigners have had unhindered access to go out into less fenced-in areas, it appears.
Denmark acknowledges that there have not been sufficient staff in Ellebæk, but at the same time notes that the employees’ sickness absence has decreased.
More generally, the Torture Committee (CPT) has criticized the lack of access to health services both in Ellebæk and in other institutions under the Danish Prison and Probation Service.
Here the authorities come up with some concessions. More can be done with regard to, for example, record keeping and medication. The Council of Europe is also informed that the Danish Agency for Patient Safety is supervising the conditions in several prisons.
However, Denmark will not follow a recommendation that the Ministry of Health take over the overall responsibility from the Danish Prison and Probation Service when it comes to the prisoners’ proper access to treatment and care. The question requires a closer analysis, it reads.
Detainees are also placed in police stations, sometimes for many hours. They should be ensured access to light and proper ventilation, the torture committee has pointed out.
Denmark now replies that there is daylight in the cells in Holstebro and Herning, that new guidelines are being considered, and that a review of the police facilities is expected to begin at the end of the year.
Incidentally, there is an improvement on the way for foreigners who are detained by the police. The Ministry of Justice has asked the police to ensure that in future they receive written information about the reason for the intervention – and in a language that the foreigner understands.
The criticism of the international experts attracted attention. Among other things, they asked for an indictment to be investigated for violence and for the employees’ racist language in Ellebæk. But the Prison Association found the criticism unreasonable and unreasonable.
It now appears from Denmark’s official reaction that the case of violence cannot be substantiated, just as a leader in the institution has not been able to find concrete examples of the use of derogatory words.
On the other hand, in some cases there may be “linguistic misunderstandings” between the employees and the detainees, it is stated.
In Ellebæk and in Nykøbing Falster Arrest, rejected asylum seekers who do not want to return home are detained.
The torture committee’s report stated that foreigners could only breathe fresh air for 30 minutes per day. day in Ellebæk. This is not true, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out in the answer.
Until March this year, there has been access to an hour outside every day. And since March, foreigners have had unhindered access to go out into less fenced-in areas, it appears.
Denmark acknowledges that there have not been sufficient staff in Ellebæk, but at the same time notes that the employees’ sickness absence has decreased.
More generally, the Torture Committee (CPT) has criticized the lack of access to health services both in Ellebæk and in other institutions under the Danish Prison and Probation Service.
Here the authorities come up with some concessions. More can be done with regard to, for example, record keeping and medication. The Council of Europe is also informed that the Danish Agency for Patient Safety is supervising the conditions in several prisons.
However, Denmark will not follow a recommendation that the Ministry of Health take over the overall responsibility from the Danish Prison and Probation Service when it comes to the prisoners’ proper access to treatment and care. The question requires a closer analysis, it reads.
Detainees are also placed in police stations, sometimes for many hours. They should be ensured access to light and proper ventilation, the torture committee has pointed out.
Denmark now replies that there is daylight in the cells in Holstebro and Herning, that new guidelines are being considered, and that a review of the police facilities is expected to begin at the end of the year.
Incidentally, there is an improvement on the way for foreigners who are detained by the police. The Ministry of Justice has asked the police to ensure that in future they receive written information about the reason for the intervention – and in a language that the foreigner understands.
Source: The Nordic Page