administrative-detention-migrantsUnder the auspices of the Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), the Committee of experts on administrative detention of migrants (CJ-DAM), in accordance with its terms of reference, are preparing a draft instrument to codify existing international standards relating to the rules on the conditions of detention of migrants.

 

BACKGROUND

This activity proposal implements one of the recommendations in the 1st report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law (2014); this recommendation itself followed on from similar calls made by the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), and is supported by the European Commission.

Thus, upon request of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, a feasibility study has been completed. The latter comments on the increasing numbers of migrants who are subject to administrative detention in Council of Europe member states and reviews the existing standards at European level, including the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. The study notes that:

  • The European Prison Rules are neither applicable to, nor adequate for the administrative detention of immigrants.
  • Other existing international instruments dealing with administrative detention of immigrants are ‘scattered, inadequate, inconsistent and not effective’ in so far as they concern this question.
  • There is uncertainty as to what extent instruments are applicable to certain situations involving immigrants or can be applied by analogy.

The important task of codifying existing international standards has been entrusted by CDCJ to a Committee of experts established under its authority: the Committee of experts on administrative detention of migrants (CJ-DAM).

Purpose of the codifying instrument

The objective of the draft instrument is twofold:

  • Protect individuals held in administrative detention by providing them with individual guarantees on their administrative detention;
  • Provide guidance to both national authorities of detention places and persons working closely with the persons held.

A codification, into a single and specific instrument, offering a coherent and clear set of international rules on administrative detention would avoid the risk of diverging legal regimes and help build universally applicable standards.

Consultation of key stakeholders and civil society

Given the importance of this subject regarding the fundamental values of the Council of Europe, it appeared vital that the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) conduct, before finalising the preparation of the future legal instrument, a wide consultation of key actors and civil society. Their point of views and experiences are essential to ensuring the draft codifying instrument is complete and effective.

The outcome of the consultation process (written and hearing) on the 1st draft codifying instrument are available below:

For more information about the Hearing, see:

 

Background documents

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