Belgium’s Federal Ombudsman issues reports on detention centres

On Monday 29 June 2009, the Belgian Federal Ombudsman published two critical reports about closed and open detention centres in Belgium, with an additional report on medical care in closed detention centres. In February 2008, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives requested the Federal Ombudsman to produce these research reports.

The report on medical care raises the issue of lack of continuity of care, both in case of return to the country of origin and in case of release; the lack of medical information regarding the situation prevailing in the country of origin, considering the fact that the doctors of the closed centres have to evaluate the availability of an appropriate medical treatment. The report also considers that “the presence of an independent medical body, for instance an NGO, could offer detainees the possibility to ask for a second opinion”.

 

Sources: Investigation sur le fonctionnement des centres fermés gérés par l'Office des Etrangers, Rapport d'évaluation des soins médicaux dans les centres fermés

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