On 18 September 2018, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published a report on Hungary. The CPT observed decent conditions in the transit zones in Röszke and Tompa situated on the border with Serbia, but criticised treatment of irregular migrants when ‘pushed back’ to Serbia. A significant number of persons interviewed by the CPT’s delegation alleged that they had been physically ill-treated (for example, kicked, punched or hit with a baton) by Hungarian police officers in the context of their ‘push-backs’ to Serbia; several of them displayed recent traumatic injuries which were consistent with their allegations. The report highlighted that in the context of ‘push-backs’, there was no procedure in place which would assess the risk of ill-treatment following the forcible removal. The CPT recommended that Hungarian authorities put an end to the practice of ‘push-backs’ and that all police officers receive a clear and firm message, emanating from the highest political level, that any form of ill-treatment of detained persons is unacceptable and should be punished accordingly.

The CPT also expressed its misgivings about the fact that all foreign nationals seeking international protection, including families with children and unaccompanied minors (14 to 18 years of age), are compelled to stay in the transit zones at Röszke and Tompa while their asylum claims are being processed. The Committee recommended that the authorities fundamentally revise their policy regarding the holding of foreigners in transit zones. As a matter of priority, an end should be put to the accommodation of unaccompanied minors therein. On a positive note, the Committee found that the Hungarian authorities made efforts to provide decent material conditions in the transit zones and to maintain the premises in a good state of repair and hygiene. That said, the overall design of the transit zones is far too carceral. Such an environment cannot be considered adequate for the accommodation of asylum-seekers, especially for families with children. The report is based on a visit which took place from 20 to 26 October 2017.

On 10 to 21 September 2018, the CPT carried out a periodic visit to Georgia, including a visit to the Temporary Accommodation Centre of the Migration Department, Tbilisi.

On 6 September 2018, the CPT published a report on its most recent periodic visit to Ukraine, where it inter alia addressed the issue of immigration detention.